Best boxing books

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by funtime09, Aug 27, 2010.


  1. gasman

    gasman Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    May 16, 2009
    Easily the best boxing book I have read. Also, Schulberg penned the best non-boxing book that I have read "What makes Sammy Run" - although shades of Mike Jacobs in Sammy Glick's character.

    Eubanks Biography was an excellent read as well.:good

    In terms of let-downs, I would say Jacobs Beach was a dissappointment - I think partly due to the standard of the last chapter of Schulberg's Ringside which was not only authorative due to his meticulous research but the fact that he was recounting his own personal experiences with Mike Jacob. Whereas Mitchell had a chapter in his book interviewing Schulberg and not really making the most of that interview either in terms to exploring that era...

    Another let-down was Hooked on the Jab- Barney Eastwoods bio. I enjoyed some of the latter chapters, but it was a frustrating read, no flow, completley unstructured in its storytelling, a zillion short 3 or 4 pages chapters that goes back and forth. It scanned over really important events, for example, the part were McGuigan's opponent died in the ring at an early stage of his career was covered very coldly in about half page or so......
     
  2. daveyboy1609

    daveyboy1609 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Quality book- just finished it. Gonna read his book on Joe Louis soon.
     
  3. Neverchair

    Neverchair Boxing Addict Full Member

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  4. Jack Dempsey

    Jack Dempsey Legend Full Member

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    This content is protected
     
  5. Bunce

    Bunce Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The Heller book changed things. It remains a classic to this day because most of his fighters are dead.
    There are too many books here by good writers but not good boxing writers and there is a big difference.
    One of the favourite books on this list and all boxing lists contains a lie (not a big lie, just a tiny invention) that I told in the Daily Telegraph about 20 years ago that the author lifted and ran as fact without a credit to me. I was under deadline when I wrote but the author weaves it in as a major part of his story.

    Get Fighting Words by Harry Mullan. That is a boxing book for boxing people by a boxing person.

    Adios.
     
  6. Jack Dempsey

    Jack Dempsey Legend Full Member

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    My advice to any young boxing fan is to get old boxing bios off of Amazon/Ebay, as I've said Barney Roos, Mickey Walker and Armstrongs books are second to none
     
  7. HMSTempleGarden

    HMSTempleGarden Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I've just bought Ali's book today that was written by Thomas Hauser.
     
  8. safc1990

    safc1990 Goodbye Bolo :( Full Member

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    I'll get my hands on those. :thumbsup
     
  9. Jack Dempsey

    Jack Dempsey Legend Full Member

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    Do it do it!!!!

    A liberal pinch of salt is needed when reading
     
  10. bruthead

    bruthead REAL TALK Full Member

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    May 3, 2009
    Care to elaborate?
     
  11. Smudger

    Smudger Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Anyone read the Thomas Hearns bio 'Hit Man'? Thinking of buying this.
     
  12. kidgloves

    kidgloves Boxing Addict Full Member

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    McIlvanney on Boxing
    Punch Lines by Phil Berger
    In this Corner by Dave Anderson
     
  13. safc1990

    safc1990 Goodbye Bolo :( Full Member

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    A decent enough read, not outstanding but not terrible either.
     
  14. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    uppercuts and daises by reg gutteridge
    benny by john burrows
    numerous books on ali
     
  15. EnglishWay

    EnglishWay KO King 2010 Full Member

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    yeah its decent.