Cinderella Man [Mass Market Paperback]

Marc Cerasini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 2005

James Braddock journeys to the heights of the sports world as he rises from poor local fighter to king of the boxing ring, defeating Max Baer in 1935 to become the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, in a fictionalized portrait of the legendary Depression-era fighter. Original. (A Universal Pictures & Miramax Films production, directed by Ron

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: HarperEntertainment (April 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060779586
• ISBN-13: 978-0060779580
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,145,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That's What I'm Talkin' 'Bout!, June 4, 2005

By 

Dave Shields "Co-Author of Tour de Life" (Salt Lake City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cinderella Man (Mass Market Paperback)

Wow, does Cerasini ever deliver! The man knows how to write. I finished the book and saw the movie five minutes later. It's a one two combo that can't be beat. The book contains some telling scenes and especially some internal motivation that no movie could ever deliver. There's a crescendo moment that's in both book and movie, but the book hits the note perfectly while it somehow gets buried in the film. Read the scene where Braddock's wife is talking to Gould's wife. In both versions they say the same things in the same setting, but in the book it's an absolute knockout. My life flashed before my eyes!

For those, like me, who don't have a good understanding of boxing, the book also gives a lot more depth to the backroom deals that fuel the sport, both between the ropes and in the papers.

But the pièce de ré*sis*tance has to be Cerasini's final fight scene. It's the greatest action sequence I've ever read. Who would have dreamed there are so many ways to describe a punch? And this from a guy who has written two books about pedaling a bike. Way to go, Marc. Thanks for bringing this wonderful story to life.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cerasini Knows How To Pen A Novel!, July 7, 2005

By 

Dan Blankenship "Author of THE RUNNING GIRL" (Lowell, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cinderella Man (Mass Market Paperback)

Recently, I stopped at a Walgreens to pick up medication for severe Poison Ivy. While the medication was being assembled, I had some time to kill, so I grabbed Cinderella Man off the book rack and began to read. I couldn't stop! This book is such a good read. I enjoyed every single page.

The story of Jim Braddock is amazing enough, but when a great writer like Marc Cerasini is added to tell the story, well the whole piece of art comes together, creating one of the best novels I have read in a while.

Cerasini manages to bring the reader into the Braddock home, exeriencing the closeness of this family that experienced tragedy and triumph on a roller-coaster type schedule. It was amazing how fast I read through this book. I couldn't get enough information about this inspiring family.

Cinderella Man takes the reader back in time, and in many ways, reminded me of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. But I find Cerasini's style of writing to be a bit easier; the words seemed to flow right in to one another, and it was hard to pull my eyes off the pages. This book is well worth the $6.99. In fact, it's worth a whole lot more.


Buy this book. You'll love it!

See ya next review!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cinderella Man, August 22, 2005

By 

John Dagley "[e-mail]" (Melbourne Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cinderella Man (Mass Market Paperback)

A month before the Australian release of 'Cinderella Man', I am
pleased to announce I have finished the novel. It is a 274 page book full of blood, sweat, and tears. It also throws a spotlight on the daily struggles one faces during tremendous hardship during the Great Depression.

It is a book based on true events that gave hope to millions of Americans when there was none. The story of James J. Braddock, dubbed 'Cinderella Man', for the magic he works so effortlessly
around his opponents inside the boxing ring.

This novel is well written and easy to read. It could look deceptive at first glance, like Jim Braddock himself, but don't be fooled. There is an incredible amount of hard work gone into each and every page of this book. Beneath the pale exterior of Jim's face, is a novel that is drenched in the hard-worked sweat of men who never give up. The boxing scenes leave the reader with a real whollop that will having you seeing stars. However, none more so then the final fight of the book when Jim Braddock must face Max Baer. Known to have killed two men in the ring.

A novel that shines with a light of its very own. May we all live a blessed, happy life with those we love. If nothing else, this book should teach us that some things are worth fighting for and some things are worth dying for. May we all be wise in knowing the difference between the two and following our hearts through to their conclusion. Triumphant or otherwise, there are always moments in life we will savor over others. There wouldn't be anything more satisfying then saving people from harm. It isn't always easy but we all are capable of a human emotion worth expressing to others. The expression of unconditional love to someone worth saving, and it is that love from someone that is worth cherishing forever.