Dark Trade - Lost in Boxing (book)

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by Robbi, Nov 29, 2011.


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  1. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    This is no ordinary book about boxing. Dark Trade is Donald McRae's vivid personal journey through the intense and forbidding world of the professional fight game. Tyson, Bruno, Hamed, Benn, Eubank, Watson, Jones, De La Hoya and Toney confide in him their fears and longings. Their fantastic, almost mythological stories are uncovered in new and striking detail, derived from the hundreds of hours McRae has spent in their company. With wit, compassion and lucidity, Dark Trade examines the way in which race and violence beat at the heart of our society, and asks what forces men to pursue this most brutal kind of stardom, what drives their outrageous ambition.

    Dark Trade: Lost in Boxing—William Hill Sports Book of the Year (U.K.), 1996.

    One of the best books on boxing I have ever read. Simply, a must for any boxing fan. :good
     
    Robbi, Nov 29, 2011
    Robbi, Nov 29, 2011
    #1
  2. dftaylor

    dftaylor Writer, fanatic Full Member

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    It's my favourite. Mcrae is an excellent writer.
     
    dftaylor, Nov 29, 2011
    dftaylor, Nov 29, 2011
    #2
  3. Bryn

    Bryn Boxing Junkie banned

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    Sep 22, 2011
    Everyone bangs on about this book. EVERYONE.
     
    Bryn, Nov 29, 2011
    Bryn, Nov 29, 2011
    #3
  4. Loz

    Loz New Member Full Member

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    I'm always on about how good this book is. He captures the time so perfectly and you get the feeling that the boxers are comfortable to really be themselves around him.

    This and Four Kings are the best boxing related books I've read.
     
    Loz, Nov 29, 2011
    Loz, Nov 29, 2011
    #4
  5. slip&counter

    slip&counter Gimme some X's and O's Full Member

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    I think 'Four Kings' got overrrated a little bit at one time.
     
    slip&counter, Nov 29, 2011
    slip&counter, Nov 29, 2011
    #5
  6. sg85

    sg85 Bang on the chan Full Member

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    Got this book about a month ago off amazon, mainly on the basis of the reviews from ESB.

    Still haven't got round to reading it yet, need to pull my finger out.
     
    sg85, Nov 29, 2011
    sg85, Nov 29, 2011
    #6
  7. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    If anyone is buying this book, make sure you get the updated version which includes another chapter - mainly containing the Tyson-Holyfield rematch. The one in the pic above is my copy (updated). The one below is also updated.

    This content is protected
     
    Robbi, Nov 29, 2011
    Robbi, Nov 29, 2011
    #7
  8. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Jul 23, 2004
    Robbi, Nov 29, 2011
    Robbi, Nov 29, 2011
    #8
  9. jonjoe

    jonjoe Member Full Member

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    About to launch into the last chapter of this and yes, it is a fantastic read. So much that i could delve into here about it but do not want to spoil it for anyone.
     
    jonjoe, Nov 29, 2011
    jonjoe, Nov 29, 2011
    #9
  10. wrimc

    wrimc Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Oct 16, 2009
    Im not going to lie its a good book BUT feel like it gets a bit too much praise for what it is. I could point you in the direction of some equal if not better boxing related books.

    Maybe its just me felt like McRae was putting himself into the story a bit too much.
     
    wrimc, Nov 29, 2011
    wrimc, Nov 29, 2011
    #10
  11. slip&counter

    slip&counter Gimme some X's and O's Full Member

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    Never hurt Norman Mailer.

    I agree though. I don't like it when writers do that either.
     
    slip&counter, Nov 29, 2011
    slip&counter, Nov 29, 2011
    #11
  12. SkillspayBills

    SkillspayBills Mandanda Running E-Pen Full Member

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    Oct 3, 2011
    Went to buy this and couldn't find it must of been sold out, I only ever here good things about it. Gonna buy it when i get a few quid spare..
     
    SkillspayBills, Nov 29, 2011
    SkillspayBills, Nov 29, 2011
    #12
  13. HMSTempleGarden

    HMSTempleGarden Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'm just on the verge on finishing it but I do agree with wrimc.

    the book tends to go off on a tangent sometimes, McRae tends to go off and talk about himself a great deal or ends up talking about something that is not really related but its still a good read.
     
    HMSTempleGarden, Nov 29, 2011
    HMSTempleGarden, Nov 29, 2011
    #13
  14. wrimc

    wrimc Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Oct 16, 2009
    The black lights by Tom Hauser is a cracking book in a similar vein to the Dark Trade. Gives an interesting insight into the managerial and contractual negotiations that go on between boxers managers and promoters.

    Don King features heavily.
     
    wrimc, Nov 29, 2011
    wrimc, Nov 29, 2011
    #14
  15. Johnson Knows

    Johnson Knows Guest

    Agreed, all that shite about his girlfriend really grated.
     
    Johnson Knows, Nov 29, 2011
    Johnson Knows, Nov 29, 2011
    #15
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