Product Description
Designed to introduce students to the academic discipline of Communication, this text describes the scope and methods of communication studies, and sketches its history from the work of the early sophists to contemporary research efforts. Boxing Plato's Shadow helps explain why, despite its long and venerable history of scholarly endeavor, Communication continues to struggle for recognition of its legitimate place in the academy. Throughout, the authors emphasize the field's durability over more than two millennia and the merits of multiple systematic approaches to the study of communication. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

An introduction to the study of Human Communication
It was not the right addition of the book that was pictured and ordered. She would not offer a return. I would not recommend this buyer.

Great seller!
Fast shipping, great price, book in described condition. Easy to work with, and would work with this seller again.

Rhetoric "On the Ropes"?
Dues and Brown are "spot on" in this survey of the history and importance of rhetorical theory, conceptually. However, in a book that is only eighty-seven pages long, such a "survey" can be "a motorcycle ride though an art gallery", in practice. The treatments of the subjects that are addressed in this "little book" came close to being so "Harley-ed", at times.

That being said, I believe that there is much to recommend this book, especially for readers who are looking for a book that will give a good "thumbnail sketch" of important issues in and for the study of rhetoric. For example, I was particularly impressed by the authors' constructive analysis and application of the "Neo-Aristotelian" school of rhetorical analysis, a treatment that has not been common in the field of rhetoric since 1965, when a "double whammy" by Black's book and the outbreak of a "Young Turk/Old Buffalo" academic blood feud led to the great diminishment and disparagement of this type (and, for a time, of practically any other type) of rhetorical analysis. In addition, the authors' accessible (but not simplistic) writing style and use of narrative made the book a very pleasant "read".

My suggestions for the next addition fo this book (and I do hope that there will be a next edition)can be encompassed by one word: more.

The first three chapters, which are devoted, in effect, to "everything you ever wanted to know about the history of rhetoric but were afraid to ask" need to be at least twice as long as they currently are in order to provide at least a bit more of a complete and coherent analysis of the people,ideas, and events that are being discussed. Much the same assessment can be made of the fourth chapter, which deals with the application of the theories and methodologies of the social sciences to the study of human communication.

However, it is the fifth chapter, which deals with "enduring issues" and "enduring value" in the field of communication study, that most needs "beefing up". While I believe that the issues that are being advanced are important ones I question whether a "general reader" could make meaningful sense of the authors' analyses as they are currently being presented. I believe that this observation has particular force where the nature and impacts of Plato's "dark shadow" are discussed.

This is a good book, as it is. "Fleshed out", this book could be a very good book.

Good Overview
As a teacher and student of Philosophy and Communication, I can say that Dues and Brown really capture the historical roots of the Communication discipline in a volume thinner than my little finger. This is an excellent resource for all Communication scholars, and a great book to use in a survey course. D&B capture the essential elements of history and philosophy in a way that no one else could! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A great follow up to volume one - very informative!
I am as equally impressed with this volume II of Workouts from Boxing's Greatest Champs as I was when I read the first one.Gary Todd has further demonstrated a sincere passion for traveling abroad to not only capture these great champion's workouts,he has also thoroughly captured the essence of each of these champion's fighting spirit and educated the reader about each of their respective achievements.A great read and a great depiction of the dedication and commitment required for accomplishing goals in life and becoming a champion.

Ron Brashear - [...]

Workouts from Boxing's Greatest Champs
I purchased this book as I have always been curious about boxing and the inner drive and commitment boxers make to take the top position in their particular individual sport.

I enjoyed reading the stories from champion boxers, striving to increase their stamina and take the punch that will provide them the glory they so deserved.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in boxing. My husbands best mate was a boxer in his youth, now 20 years later has engaged a personal trainer with boxing as the main focus of his workout. After reading Gary Todd's book, I purchased another copy as a gift to keep the momentum going for my husbands mate.

undisputed book on world champion boxers.
this has got to be the best book on boxing - period. i enjoyed the stories on each fighter in the book and was totally blown away with the book overall. ... Read more

Product Description
Welcome to the 21st Century, where we have become a society of “multi-taskers” and can incorporate that mind set into our fitness training.Over the last few years boxing and kickboxing have become popular forms of fitness training in North America for those looking to progress beyond the Tae-Bo, aerobic-kickboxing and boxercise type format. This book details how to get a calorie burning cardiovascular & resistance workout combined with learning valuable self-defense skills. The routine is also a dynamite way to build self-confidence, agility, coordination, stamina and relieve stress.
Complete with a wide variety of topical information on both general and specific components of fitness, it is professionally detailed with over 300 photographs depicting every punch and kick technique combination. From the warm-up, strength exercises, abs routine and cool down stretches it is designed to ensure safety and efficiency in planning your fitness regiment.
The exercises are fully explained, and sample workouts are provided allowing you to determine the intensity of your workout based on your fitness and skill level. Tailored to your goals, it makes an ideal, fresh, innovative and personalized workout. The training can be structured into 2 or 3 minute rounds with 30-60 second rests to replicate actual boxing & kickboxing rounds. Concentrating on the various challenging and stress relieving kick & punch combinations enhances mental focus and discipline. It can also be implemented as the warm-up or cardio portion of your regular routine or as an additional alternate session format tailored to your goals and needs. All the equipment required, like boxing gloves, heavy bags and focus pads are portable and the initial expenditure is fairly modest compared to some elaborate home gyms. The additional strength and resistance exercises incorporating the stability ball, medicine ball, resistance tubing and free body exercises keeps the program unique, easy to modify and can be taken with you when traveling or at work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Strictly a Fitness Book
Don't try to defend yourself using this book.You will get creamed.This book is strictly for fitness kickboxing which is okay.Don't use this book to create your own style unless it is a fitness kickboxing style. I don't think that many of these exercises translate well to a competition class.These exercises are best left in the aerobics room for the most part.

Extremely Useful Source of Information
I am a kickboxing instructor, teaching a class on heavy bags and working on developing a style of my own.I have found O'Donnell's book to be an invaluable source of information to me.His clear, concise descriptions of stances and punching and kicking techniques cover all the basics.I'm always looking for creative kickboxing combinations, and he has a number of them in the book.In addition, his section in the back on Resistance Training Exercises has helped me tremendously in creating new ways to challenge the people I'm instructing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in teaching a challenging kickboxing class - either cardio or contact style.

Excellent
I got this book for my 17 year old son who is training by himself in the garage. He loved it!! It has everything he was looking for.
And I got the book before the due date, I was very pleased. ... Read more

Product Description
A new, updated edition of Jack Newfield's hard-hitting unauthorized biography of boxing kingpin Don King, source of the Emmy-winning film starring Ving Rhames.Working his way out of a life of street crime and numbers running - and jail time for manslaughter - King rose to become a powerhouse in the fight game, outnegotiated corporate giants, fleeced the treasuries of entire countries, and amassed a vast personal fortune while ruining the lives and careers of some of boxing's greatest champions. The dying words of the man King stomped to death on the streets of Cleveland in 1966 - "Don, I'll pay you the money!" - became the motif for Don King's ascendancy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Only in America
Only in America, it is possible to have a Don King dominating the boxing scene. Newfield describes all the tricks of the trade King is using to his advantage and delivers recommendations what should be done. There is hope that one of these days boxing will be a respectable sport.

More than a book about Don King
A superb, meticulously-researched book by an author who truly loves boxing. The career of Don King is well documented here and is as fascinating as you would have imagined. Yet it's more than a biography - an account of how the collective talents of what should have been boxing's Golden Age were squandered through corruption,er...fight engineering (shall we say) and a ratings system based on money not ability. Don King's rise is vividly described - he arrives at a Frazier-Foreman fight with Frazier, but as the fight progresses creeps closer to the Foreman camp and inevitably leaves with the victor. A pattern repeated again and again. The experiences of Tim Witherspoon, Larry Homes and Muhammad Ali make grim yet compelling reading. Finally, we see the Tyson years as yet another athletic talent wasted.
One of the best sports books I have ever read - and deserves a wider readership: So, Amazon, why isn't it available on your UK site? ... Read more

Product Description
Distilling the martial art known in the West as kung fu, Robert Smith presents Chinese boxing (ch’uan shu) as an art “that combines the hardness of a wall and the softness of a butterfly’s wings.” His lively, pragmatic account conveys the discipline and insights acquired in ten years of study and travel in Asia. Smith describes his work with t’ai chi master Cheng Man-ch’ing, and connects ch’uan shu with the softer aspects and inner power of that popular practice. Fifty black and white photos illustrate this informative and personal account of the Chinese boxing tradition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Chinese Boxing
Excellent book!Numerous fascinating characters.Reading about Smith living in Taiwan and searching these guys out to get to train and learn from them was very interesting.Throughout my own experience reading the book I would continually confront myself with the fact that I was stationed in Taichung in the mid-70s and many of these individuals would have been there at that very time while I was completely oblivious to it.

This extremely interesting book presents just what the title promises: it discusses the masters; it discusses the methods.(It helps clarify the use of some terms, too.)You also get, in numerous instances, the 'family tree' as it pertains to who was trained by this master, who was trained by that one, and so on.These martial artists are often so different from each other as well.You get the guy who looks like an athlete gone to seed, complete with booze and smokes, who hurts you even when he's pulling his punches along with the 120-pounder that you can't move when you are "pushing hands."

If you are interested in the subject, you will definitely like the book!

Interesting read, although lacking in accuracy.
The author's information on Shuai Chiao is errant. He states that "Shuai Chiao is defective in that sweeps are not in it's repertoire", I would offer that Master "Shang" (I think he is refering to late Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung-sheng) only taught him a limited number of Shuai Chiao techniques.Shuai Chiao is indeed a complete system, teaching kicks, sweeps, joint locking, punches and throws, emphasis on throwing.As for Shuai Chiao not "evolving", as a complete martial art, there is no evolving that needs to take place.In regards to Shuai Chiao's effectiveness against Judo, I can state from first hand experience (I trained in Judo for 8 years while living in Japan and participated in numerous Judo competitions) that Shuai Chiao is very effective against even the most senior of Judoka, and can be preformed just as effectively in a Judo gi as the tighter fitting short sleeved Shuai Chiao jacket.
In fact the technique I found MOST effective against Judoka was the Shuai Chiao leg sweeping technique "jian twei".

Sifu Bryan Baskett
1989 U.S. Middle Weight National Champion - Shuai Chiao

Pretty good
The book is o.k. I guess.It is quite interesting although a bit superficial.The biggest regret is that the author concentrates his studies almost exclusively on internal northern systems, mostly Hsing I, Bagua and Tai Chi.Apart from that, it's quite an entertaining book if you are interested in the subject of Chinese martial arts masters.

Superb
The author, a US government employee, arrived in Taiwan when that nation's government was extremely grateful to the US. He was given introductions to many of the leading Chinese martial artists of the time, and took up every one -- adding what they had to teach him to what he had learned earlier in the US and during a posting in Japan. Virtually all of the masters he describes in the book are dead and no longer available for interview. His accounts of what he saw, heard and experienced can never be matched, and Asian principles of loyalty to a single master mean that nobody other than he was able to study as widely from the leading teachers of the day. The more you learn personally about Chinese boxing, the better this book shows itself to be. For those on the first steps of this study, the book's a profound inspiration.

Biased and arrogant!
Once I finished reading this book, Robert W Smith made a really terrible impression as both an individual, a writer and a martial artist. He writes and communicates in an arrogant and conceted manner. However his book on Baguazhang was a lot better. This book is a waste of money, though you will find out what one American thinks, if that is what you want. His attitudes about chinese martial arts on Taiwan and on China are biased. He just seems to really dislike China.

... Read more

Product Description
This is the ultimate companion for any serious boxing fan. Thousands of facts, stories, anecdotes and statistics make it a superb reference source, while over 250 illustrations bring to life the passion of the greatest moments in the sport's history. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Good instructional
This book shows mma from a wrestler's standpoint. It is a wonderful addition to a more traditional background. Plus, wrestler's will enjoy the familiar starting points. Overall, a very refreshing mma book even if it doesn't cover as much "dirty boxing" as the title would indicate.

www.knucklepit.com
MATT LINDLAND
DIRTY BOXING for Mixed Martial Arts
with Glen Cordoza & Erich Krauss
(Victory Belt)
© Marc Wickert October 11, 2009
[...]

An All-American and silver medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Matt Lindland debuted in MMA in 1997, along with US World Greco Roman Wrestling Team buddies Randy Couture and Dan Henderson.In 1999, this elite trio founded Team Quest Fight Club in Portland, Oregon - one of the most successful training camps in mixed martial arts history.

This same trio also formulated the devastating "no frills" style of stand-up combat adapted for cage fighting known as "dirty boxing".

Rather than spreading his wealth of cage knowledge too thinly, in "Dirty Boxing for Mixed Martial Arts", Matt Lindland addresses the first aspect of fighting: the stand-up game, and he covers standing control positions, striking, off-balancing techniques, takedowns, throws, takedown defense, and the dirty boxing clinch."With all MMA fights starting in the stand-up position, it is important to master this realm of combat before tackling the ground game, which will be the focus of my next book," says Lindland.

Part One: Basic Skills
Includes stance, positioning, controls, control setups, underhook setups, and transitioning to control positions.

Part Two: Takedown Setups
Deals with two-on-one techniques, where you latch onto one of your opponent's arms with both of your hands as a form of control or for executing an arm drag.This section also covers underhook control and head control.

Part Three: Finishing the Takedown
Illustrates double-leg finishes, single-leg finishes, and back control finishes.

Part Four: Takedown Defense
Demonstrates takedown defense 101, double-leg defense, and single-leg defense.

Part Five: Striking
Includes striking into the clinch and reestablishing the clinch.
Part Six: Clinching Techniques
Here Matt takes the reader through off-balancing techniques, dirty boxing techniques, takedowns, throws, and double collar tie defense.

This book is a real gem for anyone wishing to improve their game dramatically under the tutorage of one of the game's best.As Matt Lindland states, "The techniques that you'll find over the coming pages are the ones that I have used to defeat top MMA fighters in competitions around the world, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship."

What a cracker!

Excellent training manual
Matt Lindland's Dirty Boxing for Mixed Martial Arts is surprisingly good.I didn't expect as much as I do from some Victory Belt manuals perhaps because I've got a bias against wrestling, perhaps because Matt Lindland comes with a lot of baggage.

Let's get that out of the way up front. Yeah, yeah, Lindland is the guy who put together a documentary about how he was being blackballed from the UFC because they fear him and then went out and got KTFO'd in under a minute in his very next fight. He got run out of the UFC in a dispute over a sponsor and he's funny looking. He got his position on the U.S. Olympic team by going to court to appeal a loss in the qualifiers.

All of that said, the guy won a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling in the 2000 Olympics and has won more than 20 MMA bouts. In his twelve year MMA career he's beaten top fighters like Pat Miletich, Carlos Newton, Jeremy Horn, Ivan Salaverry, Travis Lutter and Mike Van Arsdale.

As one of the founders of Team Quest, along with Randy Couture and Dan Henderson, Lindland pioneered the path of elite wrestlers entering MMA. He also was among the first to prove that wrestlers could expand their game and successfully incorporate submissions and strikes into their MMA games. The even split of his wins between decisions, submissions and TKO's testifies to his well-rounded mastery of MMA.

Now let's talk about the book.

There have been some complaints that the book is misnamed. The critics are saying that it's a wrestling manual for MMA, not a text book on how to use Dirty Boxing in MMA. To some extent that is a fair criticism. The book's original title was "From Wrestling to MMA" and that might have been a more apt title. But at the same time, this is easily the best book how to apply Dirty Boxing in MMA, bar none.

Sure, only somewhat less than a third of the book specifically discusses striking. But the key thing is the context in which that discussion of striking takes place.

Matt Lindland's Dirty Boxing for Mixed Martial Arts details a complete MMA system for the standup game. Where Randy Couture's Wrestling for Fighting is a primer that outlines the basic techniques of getting and defending takedowns, Lindland's book provides a complete system. The closest comparison I've read would be Eddie Bravo's two books.

Like Bravo's books, this one provides the diligent student with a series of options from every key position. Lindland outlines the key standing control positions and shows how to transition back and forth between them so you can take advantage of your opponent's mistakes and avoid his strengths. The structure of the book is also logical and builds a strong foundation at the beginning that allows him to build a complex but sold system by the end.

Reading this book really reinforced by respect for wrestling as a martial art. It's as much built on skill, science and strategy as jiu jitsu, Muay Thai, Judo or boxing. Lindland's moves are fundamentally predicated on misdirection and deception. He shows how to bait your opponent into moving and then how to use that energy against him. In that, Lindland's approach to takedowns reminds me of nothing so much as Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's approach to the sweep.

It's only once he's established the foundation and shown the reader how to use the techniques of Greco-Roman wrestling to thoroughly control your opponent's body that he elaborates on how to take advantage of that control with strikes, throws and submissions.

The book is the usual great Victory Belt production. The sections are color coded for easy reference in the gym. Each move is described step-by-step and each step is illustrated by color photos. I did notice that many of the action shots are a bit blurry, this is an unfortunate distraction but doesn't impact the educational value of the book as the shots that show how to set up the grips and positioning are crystal clear, it's only the mid-air shots of the throws that tend to be blurry. In trying to do my due diligence as a book reviewer, I did conclude that the lack of an index is regrettable, although the organization, color-coding and detailed table of contents go a long way towards eliminating the need for one.

Dont waste your money on this book
Total waste of money.Nothing useful.

Go get your self a Marcelo Garcia or a Saulo Ribeiro book and learn something.

Dry but thorough.
The next in Victory Belt publishing's line of instructional manuals, Matt Lindland's Dirty Boxing for Mixed Martial Arts follows the same format as previously released guides. To use the word "boxing" in the title, but give almost no advice on actual striking is a little misleading. Lindland shows you how to position yourself to deliver strikes, but leaves actual striking advice to someone else. With over a thousand color photos detailing hundreds of moves and set-ups; Lindland with co-authors Glen Cardoza and Erich Krauss cover plenty material without ever getting into striking. The book is a solid, well organized reference for the basics of grappling and clinch work for Mixed Martial Arts.

[...] ... Read more

Product Description
Fifteen previously unpublished boxing pieces written between 1952 and 1963.

Demonstrating A.J. Liebling’s abiding passion for the “sweet science” of boxing, A Neutral Corner brings together fifteen previously unpublished pieces written between 1952 and 1963. Antic, clear-eyed, and wildly entertaining, these essays showcase a The New Yorker journalist at the top of his form. Here one relives the high drama of the classic Patterson-Johansson championship bout of 1959, and Liebling’s early prescient portrayal of Cassius Clay’s style as a boxer and a poet is not to be missed.

Liebling always finds the human story that makes these essays appealing to aficionados of boxing and prose alike. Alive with a true fan’s reverence for the sport, yet balanced by a true skeptic’s disdain for sentiment, A Neutral Corner is an American treasure.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

And Here's The Rest
It's generally accepted that Liebling's The Sweet Science is the finest piece of Boxing literature ever concieved.The writing was lyrical in a way rarely seen in sports writing (or any other kind of writing for that matter), the world he described captivating.Just when we thought that that was all there was, lo and behold, here comes the second part of Lieblings oeuvre. And it's every bit as potent as the first part!

As with its predecessor, A Neutral Corner makes it's mark by intelligent and cultured writing that captures the atmosphere and culture of Boxing life in urban America in the mid-/late-'50s.If The Sweet Science focused on many characters, then A Neutral Corner chooses as its central hero Floyd Patterson - a fighter not normally held in high esteem in fight circles.Here we see his progression from champion to challenger to champion again and finally to his ultimate destruction.We are also treated to Liebling's by now well-established preference for the artistic rather than the brutal and this seems to be best expressed in his classic observations on a nascent Muhammad Ali ("The Poet").Reading his initial thoughts on this larger-than-life character compounds the tragedy that he didn't live to see and wax lyrical on the flowering of that talent.

A.J. Liebling was no crude sports hack.The man was a scholar and an individual as these pieces attest.His writing is a poetry in itself.

Classic Boxing Journalism!
This book is a collection of essays Liebling wrote for the New Yorker back in the 1950's and early 1960's. Liebling does a great job of capturing the atmosphere around the fights, training camps and boxing gyms. Liebling is a humorous writer who really captures the personalities of fighters, managers, trainers and the overall feel for the boxing game. He points out the eccentricities and oddities of many people he encounters in the sport and while he finds humor in their weirdness and quirks he does so in a funny but affectionate way. I've spent many years around the boxing gyms and for all the bad things that go on, there are also some of the most unique and great people you will ever meet involved in the sport too. There is a certain character that exists in boxing that doesn't exist in major team sports whose players tend to be overpaid, spoiled, pampered, and totally lacking in brains, heart, personality and character.

Essays included in A Neutral Corner are his portrayal of Stillmans Gym in 1950's New York City, along with the local club fight scene in NYC at that time, great stuff about Archie Moore, Floyd Patterson, Ingemar Johansson, Sonny Liston, a young Cassius Clay, Cus D'Amato, the atmosphere and stories around fight cards in England, Tunisia and other places. This is all great stuff that really captures the essence of boxing. Liebling really loved boxing and appreciated the people involved and was far superior than the wormy cynical morons (in all fairness there are a few good writers covering the sport today) that pass themselves off as boxing writers today. This is classic boxing journalism!

Boxing Essays from a Master
A.J. Leibling captures the smokey ambience of the ring and its world with a masterly hand. Joyce Carol Oates ("On Boxing") may be squeamish and over-dramatic, and Budd Schulberg self-promoting and exasperating, butMr. Leibling the has a touch born of a top flight journalist and ardentboxing fan who also has the benefit of minute observation, a genial senseof humor, a well seasoned knowledge of the world, and a strong classicaleducation.We enter the world protrayed in A Neutral Corner by way of thedingy confines of Stillman's gym in New York City, but on the way over areentertained by a short, amusing and thoroughly knowledgable meditation onthe Great Ancients of boxing: 18th/19th century Pierce Egan (whom Lieblingcalls the ring's "Thucydides") and Jewish greats Dan Mendoza andDutch Sam.Liebling muses on their significant contribution to the ringand that of the Jewish fighters in general and we finally fetch up atStillman's gym (an icon of New York Boxing) simultaneously with thereflection that there are few Jewish fighters these (1952) days. "With a good Jew fighter now" One of the managers declares,"you could make a fortune of money."There is the rise of Irishfighters and the economic circumstances that gave birth to both Jewish andIrish fighters, and the availability of day jobs that waylay their ringambition.Yet this is hardly a dry academic treatise, for it isentertwined and amplified by the thoughts and opinions of the trainers,managers and boxers at Stillman's.

Liebling is interested in everythingand everyone, and nothing escapes his pen as he immerses the reader inwhichever world he is illustrating with his mixture of scholarlyobservation and streetwise humor.At one point we arrive in Tunis, whereone escapes from the oppressive heat into a museum and suddenly comes uponan ancient mosaic of a boxing match.It depicts one fighter knocking downthe other."The fellow on the receiving end", Liebling muses,"has an experienced disillusioned look, like that of a boy who hasfought out of town before..." The Tunisian passion for prizefightinghas deep roots, and seems hardly about to diminish, with the buildup to alocal match nearly consuming the entire city.

Throughout these essaysthere is the sense of accompanying Liebling as he chats with the managers,watches the boxers train, pokes his head into training camps and interviewsfighters and has a drink at The Neutral Corner, a New York bar and grill,to hash it all out.We sit with him near ringside where his smooth prosein no way interferes with his immediate and lively portrayal of the fights.We become acquainted with Floyd Patterson, a sensitive and intelligentfighter forever in search of his soul, the professorial Archie Moore, avery young Cassius Clay and another side of the habitually taciturn SonnyListon.

Liebling's prose flows and some have remarked on itspyrotechnics, but is tight and descriptive, and his interestscomprehensive.Each essay (originally printed in The New Yorker) builds anabsorbing world of its own, though several are connected by common themes(for instance, Stillman's gym, Floyd Patterson's series of fights). This isa book for the die-hard boxing fan, for it there is little in it that doesnot pertain to boxing, its past and present.It can also be enjoyed by thegeneral reader and lover of good writing, for it is a collecton of essays,each one lively and gracefully written, about the people, first andforemost, who make up the old and sometimes dark world of prizefighting.

Hard-boiled boxing
Leibling's essays are filled with history, humanity and delightful idiosyncracies - all in a prose that recalls a bygone era.This book is not simply for fight fans, it's for anyone who loves to read.

AN OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF ESSAYS
This book is a must for all boxing fans. It contains reviews of BOTH Patterson/Johansson and Patterson/Liston fights, plus Ali's first pro bout. Mr. Liebling was the consummate boxing writer. He gives some very interesting information on the fighters camps and personal lives that make for a great read. An essential addition to any library ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Old time boxers
The book is good for short descriptions of boxers and some of the most memorable fights.
I was not that interested in British fighters but overall it is a good read.
Recommended for those interested in the history of boxing.

Flawed
This book has some valuable information, but as others have suggested it does indulge in a bit of historical revisionism:

Sam Langford did indeed carry Stanley Ketchel. Take a look at the LA Times historical archives for verification. It's almost unanimous amongst the writers that Langford seemed to be "holding back".

According to the Times, Harry Greb lost 4 of the first 5 rounds vs. Kid Norfolk. The next 5 rounds were all Greb as he gave Norfolk a sound beating. In their famous disqualification bout it was Norfolk who was ahead when the bout was halted.

The LA Times also reported that Greb, in his first fight with Tiger Flowers, won 8 out of 10 rounds, completely taming the Tiger. It wasn't until Greb was battle-worn(he'd had close to 300 bouts)and in decline that Tiger was able to beat him, the first time by a close split decision.

The author really needed to do his homework on the no-decision bouts.

The most informitave boxing title i've seen
The boxing register is a must have for any true boxing fanatic.The book has information of every inductee from the IBHOF, from the pioneers of the bare-knuckle era to "The Greatest", all of them have at least a page dedicated to them in the great book.

rock em....then sock em...
A really invaluable referance guide to the sport of boxing.If you are a real afficiando of the sport or like myself, just a casual fan it doesn't really matter.This book has all the information that you could want.All the champions from the various weight classes are here.Each boxer has a record of all of his fights, and a (surprisingly) entertaining overview of his career.Wether you are checking out a specific fighter for a specific fight, or just want a few moments of reading.This is the book for you.From the heavyweight super stars that we all know, to the 98 pounders that could tear the most 'macho' of us apart before breakfast, this guide has them all.Informative and VERY intertaining.But it, read it, and revel in the history of the "manly art"You won't be dissapointed.

Outstanding reference book on boxing history & records
The authors and the International Boxing Hall of Fame based in Canastota, NY deserves a lot of credit for this excellent contribution to boxing - "the sweet science". This is a treasury chest of information on boxing history, fighters records and inside stories in a handy book format with lots of great photos and illustrations. Whether you want to know about the sanctioning bodies or the weight divisions, the records or the biographies of the fighters inducted into The Hall of Fame, you will find it all right here.

Content data, records and biographies about the fighters are divided in three main sections: 1- the early pioneers from bare knuckle brawlers to the Boston Strong Boy; 2- the old timers when the sweet science becomes an American passion; and 3- the modern era when boxing waxes and wanes but the grear stars shine. Names like James Figg, John L. Sullivan (The Boston Strong Boy), Max Baer, Jack Dempsey (The Manassa Mauler), Jack Johnson (the first african-american heavyweight champion from 1908-15), Gene Tunney, Joe Louis, Archie Moore, Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali (The Greatest) and many other great fighters, they are all here. You will also find information about boxing's supporting cast with names like Gil Clancy, Cus D'Amato, Angelo Dundee, Lou Duva, Don King, Arthur Mercante and others. Additionally, there are short essays on the governing bodies ruling the sport, the seamy side of boxing scandals, the influence of television in the sport, etc.

In conclusion, this is an outstanding source of reliable information on boxing as well as on individual fighters in a handy, manual, illustrated book format for a very reasonable price. ... Read more

Product Description

"This is a must-have for every martial arts book collection."-Rick Faye, senior instructor under Dan Inosanto

Customer Reviews (6)

Fitness
If you have no idea about fitness then this book is for you. If you realize that jogging, weight lifting, and crunches can make you healthier then you already have the knowledge obtained from this. I was hoping for some more specifics to train certain portions of the body, you don't really get that here. For my purposes it was useless, but I can see where someone in need of motivation to get fit period (not just in a boxing state of mind) might like this book.

Great book to start with.
This little handbook is a great help when starting out.
I've been boxing for fitness at the Printing House Gym in NYC and this book coincides well with what I've doing at the gym.

Great book for boxing basics and conditioning
This is a great book, mostly for amateur boxers/beginners or anyone who wants to get 'boxing-fit'. This is what I like about the book:

- It's a very honest book. The authors explains everything from a very practical point of view.

- It covers topics like basic boxing skills, drills, weight training, cardio (running, jump rope etc), core strength, flexibility, nutrition and boxing equipments in reasonable detail.

- The authors pays attention to the detail. Small topics, like how to wrap your hands, aspects of using different kinds of boxing bags (including, price, installation etc), types of jump ropes, things to carry in your gym bag and the price aspects of it, outdoor running vs treadmills. It shows that the author was careful enough to consider issues encountered by people in real life while learning something new.

- The book has complete information for a boxing beginner (like me), whether you are training alone or with a partner.

great book for the basics!!
I really enjoyed this book! It is a good basic boxing for fitness book. I was hoping it would have a bit more detail about workouts but really there is so much information it would be impossible to set a workout for everyone. I would definitely reccommend it for someone who was just starting out and wanted to get fit.

Terrific Supplement for the Fighting Man
This short guide to keeping fit for the fight game is as good as it gets.Great pics, easy-to-follow instructions for drills makes for a hassle-free supplement to anyone's training regimen.It isn't geared to pros or novices as there aren't much tips for improving punching or strategies in the ring; in reading through this book, the reader must keep in mind that the content is primarily focused on building or prepping one for the rigors of boxing training.So for those looking to get a headstart to prepare themselves for intensive boxing training, Oliver suggests you get in proper shape.This book will undoubtedly help you. ... Read more

Product Description
"Professor" Mike Donovan, Battling Nelson–"The Durable Dane," and "Stockyards" Harold Smith— their stories are as colorful as their names. Chicago’s boxing history is as exciting and unpredictable as any prize fight within the ring. Some of the most memorable bouts—great, infamous or otherwise—took place in the city’s clubs, parks and arenas, and Chicago has seen its share of champions and top contenders over the years. The Gans-McGovern fight in 1900—the "Big Fix"—set the sport back 25 years in Chicago. The "Long Count" between Tunney and Dempsey, in 1927, may still be the most controversial bout of all time. Chicago Boxing is a story not only of great boxers, but of the fans who embraced them, the promoters who made them big, and even a few mob bosses who made good on their talent. ... Read more

Product Description
"The T'ai Chi Boxing Chronicle is a translation of the text left behind by the Orthodox Masters who developed this system of boxing. Over a period of generations, fives basic movements were developed, called the Bone Marrow Washing Exercises. These exercises helped the monks restore their health and will-power. As the movements were passed down from generation to generation, the meaning behind the movements of Tai Chi was almost completely lost. Due to the integrity of Kuo Lien-Ying, this information is presented without modification or alteration. This book contains a clear explanation of the physical laws of the art of T'ai Chi that hold true wherever it is practiced. The person who studies the information contained in this book will have the tools to achieve the highest level of mastery and skill to be obtained through the practice of T'ai Chi Ch'uan."
-Guttman ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Tai Chi Resource for the Experienced and Devout Practitioner
I am an American Tai Chi and Qigong Association (ATCQA) certified Trainer. I found the that the book articulates the body-mechanics of Tai Chi through the symbolic, language of Taoism.The information in this book integrates many topics found in classical treatise and as such implies a teaching approach that would be foreign to a reader uninitiated in Chinese Cosmology.These topics discuss the unity of opposing forces and attempts to explain how one can manipulate such forces by the recognition of physical movements that are referred to as energies.Like Taiji Quan, the effort is difficult to communicate and is only meant to be understood by either an experienced practitioner or a devout student doing independent research to reinforce study under a Sifu or Master.

If you are an experienced practitioner or a devout student then this book is a treasure.When one studies the applications of Taiji for reasons of health, form or combat the power of the resulting knowledge can only be realized when one has the capacity to integrate the compartimentalized, knowledge espoused in the Art.For one who is not ready the information will be daunting or evasive.Miyamoto Musashi believed that if one knows the way of strategy then he/she could see the way (The Tao) in everything and that there would be no need for a teacher in any endeavor.The author of this book understands the concept of strategy and is talking to others who have the same skill-set.

A reviewer infered that the author is not really teaching anyone how to do anything.To a person that did not have a grasp of Eastern Strategy he would be correct.If you are a Westerner and do have a grasp of strategy this book will appear to give clear explanations to what some readers would deem as isoteric philosophy.It will suggest how to combine Eastern Cosmology with body-mechanics and how to integrate the nuances of stillness and movement in order to manipulate the physical energy of an opponent in combat; moreover, how to understand how these energies can be used to understand one's self.This is a cultivation process essential in the effort to progress in Taiji Quan and this book can help one evolve using this internal martial art form.

I loved this book and it is great use to me in the continuous training of myself and my advanced students. If you are a Pugilist who has been studying martial arts like Western Boxing, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Xingyi or a Mixed Martial Artist for at least a decade and are in the research stage of your progress, you will find value in posessing this book.

Master Gurjot K. Singh, M Ed.
Retired US Army Ranger & Drill/S.E.R.E. Qualified Instructor
Professional Tai Chi Trainer (ATCQA Level II of III)

The Art of Western Tai Chi Ch'uan: The Supreme Ultimate & Sweet Science Of Boxing With 10 Limbs

A Rare Look Into The Art
If you are looking for a step-by-step form book, this is not for you. This is not intended for a beginner. The author assumes you are already familiar with the basics.

Contained in Guttman's text is the essense of the practice, the sensations you should feel during the movement, the weight distribution, etc. with heavy emphasis on peng-ching (uprooting.) While Kuo Lien-Ying is supposedly citing theChen family chronicle, it is highly unlikely that any actual Chen document mentions Wudang, Zheng Sanfeng (who only began to be associated with martial arts in the Epitaph of Wang Cheng Nan as early as the 1600's,) or a Wang Zhongyue, so that part of the book I find highly dubious. Regardless, the information here is still very valuable for anyone practicing Taiji Quan, even outside the Quangping Yang style. The text covers the philosophy and the energies (forces) of Taijiquan, the foot movements and their intricacies, as well as the postures which they are implemented in, explaining each in painstaking detail.

In a market oversaturated with picture books, this one has special meaning as it attempts to explain the finer details in the movements, as a teacher would. Not an easy read, but you will not walk away empty-handed by any means.

Overly Complex, Occasional Tidbit
If you are researching Tai Chi then this book is a valuable tool for finding a few (and I do mean few) useful pieces to the puzzle.If you are looking for simple and easy to understand, or you are a novice to Tai Chi, Chinese, and Engineer Drawings then keep searching.

The drawings in this book are ridiculously complicated. I have worked with engineering specs, blue prints, flow charts and a myriad of other scribbled communication and have never seen something that will make your head spin faster.

The text is a mixed bag.In one corner you have pieces of the text that are legible and easy to read, offering useful information.In the other corner you have secret code that will put you to sleep in 30 seconds or less.The Yin Yang Theory was not designed as a style of writing!

I think this book offers more than most but falls short in effective communication.

This is one of the best approaches to Tai Chi Chuan study ....
Even though there are many styles of Tai Chi Chuan, this book can help all understand how to approach the study. It's difficult but worth the effort to incorporate this book's contributions into your practice. An excellent guide!

Not written by master Kuo
I have been studying with Simmone Kuo for 2 years.Sifu Kuo's widow.She warned me about this book because it was written without the families consent and it has almost nothing to do with the late Kuo Lien Ying. ... Read more

Product Description
In choosing his one hundred best boxers, Patrick Myler has cast aside any consideration of titles. The only criterion is that every man had the mark of greatness. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

No Strib ?
Good book, but the lack of an entry for William 'Young' Stribling is amazing. Stribling is still nr. 2 on the all-time knockout list, with 124 KOs in his pro career (second only to Archie Moore), and yet, is nohwere in this book (?!). Stribling is known as one of the best boxers in history, and had the best feint of all boxers. I just can't understand why he is not in the book. He had something like 255 total fights, and fought Max Schmelling.

Is it Just Me, or is the research Just a bit Barren in this Book?
And the British flavor is a bit too heavy for my likes.

Naseem Hamed, John Conteh, Nigel Benn Randy Turpin and Len Harvey are top 100 material but Tony Zale, Luis Rodriquez and Antoinio Cervantes are Not? YIKES!How does Ken Buchanan merit 6 pages for his biography and Carlos Monzon merit 2?

Larry Holmes's title reign (7 years, 20 defenses) is summed up in a paragraph and only ONE title challenger is mentioned: Gerry Cooney.In essence, Larry's career is described as such:

"Holmes beat Earnie Shavers in a title elimination bout and then had to face Ken Norton with a bum arm. After defeating Norton, Larry defended against Gerry Cooney and then in a dispute with Don King he dropped his WBC belt, but carried reconition under the IBf flag. After two losses to Spinks, and disparaging remarks to Marciano, Holmes retire only to return to be ko's by Mike Tyson."

At one point in time in Holmes career, he was 48-0, 32 by Ko with 20 title defenses. And essentially ONE title defense is discussed?Sheesh.

However if you want to read some details on Naseem Hamed's 12th professional fight with Vincenzo Belcastro, you can.

Vanilla writing, No new stones unturned and a poor/biased selection of fighters make this book rather forgetable.

A Bert Randolph Sugar, Mr. Myler is NOT.

Hawk

One Great Century
One Great Century

This is a perfect book for the boxing enthusiast.

It's Patrick Myler's pick for the top 100 best boxers of this last century.

This is one of those books where even the introduction is worthy of note.

He gives a few pages of info for each fighter - starting with interesting statistics - nicknames, titles won, birthplace and date - and won loss record. He also briefly describes each fighter's career and life.

As he himself says any list of a specific number of greatest is bound to leave out some and at least stir up some controversy. This book comes pretty close though, but you'll need to decide.

At the end - he gives his top 10 list - THAT'S tricky business.

It's a great book to read from cover to cover or just skim to find out info on your favorites or a fighter you're not familiar with. Luckily each "chapter" is in alphabetical order and is listed as such on the contents - so it's easy to find a fighter.

The one thing that everyone can agree upon is that it's been one great century!

A well-researched book on the top boxers of the century
It is hard to dispute Muhammad Ali's claim to be 'the Greatest', but he is just edged off the top spot by Sugar Ray Robinson in the opinion of Patrick Myler, author of A Century of Boxing Greats. Myler states: 'Some say thereis no such thing as the perfect fighter, but Robinson came as close to itas makes no difference.

The author admits that his choice of the 100 bestfighters of the century will provoke arguments, just as the '100 bestanything' is ultimately down to personal opinion.

They appear to be thereall: Bob Fitzsimmons, the first triple titleholder in history, is there andso are present greats, like Oscar De La Hoya, Roy Jones and other toptalents of today.

As well as providing potted histories of his top 100,including details of titles won, nick names, career records, Myler givedinteresting background information on their lives outside the ring.

In myview A Century of Boxing Greats is a great read and a most valuablereference book.

Niels Thorsen,

Boxing Research Corner ... Read more

Product Description
Through An Illustrated History of Boxing, fans will experience the careers of fighters in every weight class, from flyweight to heavyweight. They can relive the days when Jack Dempsey, Max Baer, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Mike Tyson ruled the heavyweights, and witness Evander Holyfield's rise to the top of the heap. All the key matches in all divisions are described. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The first, but not last, thing to read
This book was my first boxing book in the early 60s, and it is a great browsing volume for a beginning or long-time fight fan, especially for the photographs and art work. Nat Fleischer, founder of Ring Magazine, passed away some time ago, and it is well updated.But Fleischer is still the major author, and he is a mixed blessing.As much as I admire his vast knowledge, he can be unreliable--his top 10 lists (found in his Record Books) read more like chronologies than considered judgements--and his writing has an odd sense of structure.Most of the reports in the Ring bore his stamp-- Nat Loubet's and Dan Daniel's as well as his own--a digressive or winding motion, moving around topics, picking up and dropping off fight descriptions and contexts.And Fleischer, while generally upstanding and fair-minded, could also be cranky and reactionary, especially in his later years.Fortunately, his quirks are held to a minimum here, and the book is well worth owning.

The King of Sports
This book documents the history of boxing with excellent writing by respected boxing journalists. But the highlight has be its outstanding collection of photos and sketches. The book was originally written in 1959 and its strength clearly lies with its coverage of earlier heavyweight champions like Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis. But the current sixth edition is revised and updated through 2001. The emphasis is definitely on the heavyweights but the lower weight classes are also covered. For serious fans of boxing this is a must have book!

The Best Boxing Book Ever!!
If you are interesten in the early history of boxing,then look no further!!!

Great array of pictures and stories of just about EVERY Boxer since James Figg made boxing famous!!

The Chapter on Heavyweights alone is more than worth the price of this book!!

If you love boxing and it's history GET THIS BOOK!!!

Worth buying
The good points of the book outweigh the bad in that it is a very good reference that tells the history of boxing in a very comprehensive way. Another great point is the illustrations. Huge photos that percieve the boxers as kings and look very dramatic.

But there are some annoyances. First of all, it is very biased towards certain boxers, especially heavyweights. Pages 8 to 185 are reserved for the heavyweights. Pages 336 to 410 are reserved for the featherweight, bantamweight and flyweight divisions!

Not least in the choice of photos. Why show pictures of Rocky Marciano with his kids or Dempsey at the horse-races or smoking his cigar(which takes up 3/4 page) etcetera etcetera when there are is SUCH an insufficient amount of photos for the lower classes. Why comment on how poor Primo Carnera is and show a photo. Why show so much on each heavy? It is irrelevent how they live their lives outside the ring when there is no photo which shows up Sandy Saddler as great as he was(except wrestling on the floor with Pep).

And the middleweights too. Mickey Walker is shown painting his art, but there are is hardly anything on middleweight legend Carlos Monzon!

These are only certain occurances. I am only recalling ones that are in my memory as of writing. But I would say half of the photos in the book should be replaced with photos of the less popular or lower weight boxers. Yes, HALF of the book's photos is like this.

The fly/bantam/feather sections are short(obviously the bigger men are preferred) especially considering the huge size and huge abundance of pictures in the heavy, light-heavy and middle sections. Jimmy Wilde gets a few good pictures but then again they HAVE to do that he is such a legend.

It may be very biased, but it undoubtedly is a worthwhile purchase. Especially for people who want to know the legends of the past like Jim Jeffries or Sullivan. But they really need to put more on the lower classes and the less popular but BETTER boxers.

History of Boxing Scores Stunning KO!
The History of Boxing by Fleischer and Andre is so riveting that I stayed up all night reading this book!From "Pugilisms First Heroes" to the last chapter update, the content is superb. There are so many pricelessphotos and illustrations pre-dating photographic equipment, from theBritish origins to Las Vegas!

As a kid, I remember Hurricane Carterwinning a televised Friday Night at the Fights brawl by knocking hisopponent out of the ring.And the local Houston, TX heavyweights likeCassius Clay and Cleveland Big Cat Williams.Well, this book chroniclesthe champions.

If I were to make a complaint, only the champions andtheir opponents are covered.So spectacular non-title fights are notcovered here.I reckon that's the nature of the beast on a "bestof" book like this that covers such a long period of time. But forwhat it is, it is all that and more! ... Read more

Product Description
Boxing: Advanced Tactics & Strategies is a concise collection of drills, tips, exercises and strategies designed to take the novice boxer to the next level. Building on his popular first book, Boxing: A 12 Week Course, R. Michael Onello explains advanced ring tactics including hitting with movement, blocks, slips, feints, draws, and advanced punch variations.He also shares strategic tips gained through years in the ring and in the corners of successful boxers. In addition to a range of practical offense, defense, punch progression and shadow sparring drills, he includes advanced conditioning exercises and a chapter on ring generalship. This book is a great resource for boxers who want to advance their skills and coaches looking for solid training advice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

3+ stars - not quite a 4.
I've read the book, and there are more pictures regarding the warmup exercises rather than the technical aspects of the boxing - more pictures for footwork and up-jabs would've been welcome rather than a picture of a paticular muscle stretch if space was an issue.That would be my only critique.The information included in the book has some nice tips on how to sit down on your punches, adding feints to your game, and using angles on a heavy bag work out.The book also has a good shadow boxing routine, but like most routines you get out of it what you put into it. ... Read more

Product Description
On August 29, 1885, Cincinnati was the scene for the first modern heavyweight championship boxing match using gloves. The Boston Strong Boy, John L. Sullivan, met Dominick McCaffrey at the city's Chester Park that day and came away with the referee's decision. By this time, Cincinnati had been a noted boxing site since the Civil War years, and over the next several decades, it developed a remarkable number of fine boxers in both the professional and amateur ranks. Out of the many gymnasiums in Over-the-Rhine and the West End came world champions such as Freddie Miller, Ezzard Charles, Bud Smith, and Aaron Pryor. This book is the story of a fascinating aspect of Cincinnati's great sports heritage--the boxing game--with all its leather-punching drama. From the frontierlike matches of the 19th-century river town to the urban ethnic and social influences of the 20th and 21st centuries, Cincinnati Boxing brings a rich part of local history to life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Cincinnati Boxing
Solid job by the authors to capture the pictorial history of Cincinnati's rich boxing legacy.

cincinnati boxing
Left out so many people that made Cincinnati a great Boxing town. When doing a book like this should get more input from boxers and family members to do it justice ! ... Read more

Product Description
For men and women--the boxing fitness guide that will put new "punch" into every workout...

Endorsed By Everlast!

An easy-to-understand, fully illustrated guide to achieving new levels of health and fitness with the art of boxing, this is the perfect learning tool for both the novice fighter and those looking for an exciting new way to exercise. It explains in detail what every aspiring boxer needs to know, including tips on

equipment
punches and combinations
defensive skills and movement
ring strategy
boxing styles
proper training techniques
tricks of the trade
and much more ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

Good "must read and know" information for beginners.
Danna Scott's book has good information for those that are interested in starting to train in boxing.The sections on gym equipment, wrapping of the hands, movement basics, and the common orthodox stance are all "must read and know" information for beginners. The images were well done and are of a high quality, better than the images in most books on boxing.
It is only in the advanced techniques that I would offer a variance of opinion. In discussing basic punches, the author lists the left jab, right cross, left hook, right hook, left uppercut, and right uppercut. I have always had a problem with identifying the right hook as a basic punch. In my opinion, there is no such thing as a right hook. Yes, there is such a thing as an overhand right and also in ring work there is such a thing as a hooking right, but I never teach a right hook to my students as a basic punch. There are one or two other advanced techniques that I believe may have been presented better in a more comprehensive text for experienced boxers.
The basic beginner information was good and the images were outstanding. From my conceptual framework as a college professor (and boxing coach), I must commend the author on the excellent index. It makes things easy to find.As a basic text, I give this publication four stars.

By Al Gotay, Ed.D., author of "Boxing Basics" and "Self Defense Basics".

Not bad but should be longer
Boxing is a forgotten art, cross-train and learn boxing now. Any part of your fighting game you're not training is the part where you're going to be beaten. Be a complete fighter with this book's help. Anyone interested in improving his/her stand-up skills with western boxing will benefit from this book.The pictures are clear, well set out and easy to put into a working personal system.Although I found this book helpful,it seemed to have left out some important strategic and endurance techniquest that I have found in other books.

It's good if you are a beginner.
This is not a bad book if you are totally new to boxing, but if you aren't a beginner it presents information that you already know. I've been taking a boxing class twice a week for the past year, so all the information in the book was repetitious. Other than that it's a quick read with good illustration.

Primer on boxing
I've been wanting to get into boxing for a little while but haven't done so due to it's technical nature. I hate to get into things I don't have at least some idea about. Danna Scott has explained the technicalities involved with getting started with boxing. She does a great job of explaining the technical jargon related to equipment and technique. This book won't make you the next Ali/Tyson but it will help understand/evaluate what to expect when you walk into a gym. Furthermore, the section on combinations is also pretty useful if you want to just punch your punching bag at home. Although, that section does leave me wanting more.

No More Fetal Positions!
Before I was introduced to the techniques in this book, I used to get pushed around and beat down by preschoolers in the playground.I am 44 years old.My usual technique was to curl up in a fetal position and cry.No more!I now have developed a kitty kat punch for anyone who wants to pick on me.Great Book!Buy one, buy two, give it to your friends and neighbors. ... Read more

Product Description
During the California Gold Rush, amateur and professional boxing almost immediately gained a strong foothold in northern California, as the gold fields and mining camps provided both employment and a venue for these athletes. In these times, many of the world's best fighters made their way to the canvas squares of the Pacific coast where San Francisco served as the locus of championship title bouts that even today remain legendary. This volume spotlights such greats as Gentleman Jim Corbett, Joe Choynski, Jack Johnson, Battling Nelson, Stanley Ketchel, and 1904 Olympic heavyweight champion Sam Berger. Somrack explores San Francisco's boxing scene through the years, but also focuses in on weight classifications and ring records. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Picture books rule
I admit it, I like books with lots of pictures. Anyone interested in boxing history would thoroughly enjoy this informative little book packed with awesome old photos and San Francisco boxing trivia. I got this from Amazon for 5 bucks less than [...] - sweet! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Brilliant, insightful and a unique perspective on Boxing
This book is compelling.Simply fascinating.Here we are offered insight into the legendary corner man of boxing and their takes on their fighters and their opponents. The approaches and styles are as different as boxers themselves.

These corner men were often as fascinating as the fighters themselves.Some were vivid, colorful and tailored their approaches.Others were scientific and analytical.

You learn much about the lives, the details and the business of boxing.What it takes to develop and inspire fighters to the next level.

This one is a must for any serious boxing fan. All the great trainers are represented here and it's interesting how their views of certain fighters and fights contrast.

MUST HAVE boxing book
Considered by some to be the greatest book ever written about boxing, this book features interviews with a number of legendary boxing trainers as they talk about the art/craft of the sport. A must read for any serious fan of the fight game. ... Read more