Aims to make the reader feel the lure of the boxing ring.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
A study of John L. as the nation's first great boxing hero. Sullivan, who rose from the immigrant underclass to be a friend of Theodore Roosevelt and other leaders, is shown to have been admired for his boxing ability, honesty, and friendliness but flawed by drunkenness, extravagance, and disorderly behavior. The author (history, Annapolis) exhaustively covers the champion's career in a sport that slowly emerged from illegality and scorn. This scholarly work, apparently the only Sullivan biography in print, is attractive for public libraries too. Morey Berger, Monmouth Cty . Lib., Manalapan, N.J.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Sullivan's story is as colorful as its large cast, which ranges from 'Little Chocolate' and 'The Bull's Head Terror' to Theodore Roosevelt. Mr. Isenberg is quite right to suggest that by following it we can learn a great deal about American society at the end of the nineteenth century... No one, reading Isenberg, can fail to feel the lure of the ring." Times Literary Supplement "The definitive biography of the last bare-knuckle heavyweight champion... A vivid re-creation of an era of unchecked male dominance." Sports History "A remarkable study of Sullivan's life and times... A rich and valuable account of a vivid era that has long been obscured by legend." Sports Illustrated "An objective and scholarly work cutting through the media image and ably analyzing the age that created Sullivan. A book of real merit for both scholars and the general reader." Journal of American History "Uncovers the roots of the Sullivan myths that help mark the break between America's isolated rural past and its modern urban culture." Washington Post Book World "A fine work, well researched and nicely told... Recaptures an extraordinarily important moment in the development of modern professional athletics." Journal of Sport History
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Isenberg's book on Sullivan is outstanding!,
By A Customer
This review is from: John L. Sullivan and His America (Sport and Society) (Paperback)
As a boxing writer and historian, I have read hundreds of books on the sport and even authored one. Isenberg's book on the Great John L. is among the best boxing books ever, a very well researched work that dwells into the smallest details of Sullivan both as a fighter and a sociological phenom of his time, the first blue collar sports hero in America.. To end with a cliche: This book is a must read book for fistic fans --Enrique Encinosa
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Biography,
This review is from: John L. Sullivan and His America (Sport and Society) (Paperback)
A nicely written biography of a great champion. Isenberg begins with a scholarly discussion of the Irish-American background in which Sullivan was born and extends to the bare knuckle society were he reigned supreme for twelve years. The thorough coverage of Sullivan's career is full of interesting anecdotes of many of the great fighters of the era and you gain real insight into the America of Sullivan's time. But, most importantly, in the end you become genuinely familiar with the man-John L.-himself.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sullivan Book Review,
By A Customer
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: John L. Sullivan and His America (Sport and Society) (Paperback)
An interesting account of the champion from Boston. Exhaustive research makes for an excellent read. I enjoyed it.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Irish immigration to the United States swelled to a flood in the middle of the nineteenth century. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
real prizefight, surrogate violence, sporting journalism, fighting togs, sparring exhibition, ring career, two pugilists, prize ring, ring craft, sporting crowd, sporting press, championship belt, commercial spectacle, fight fans, boxing exhibitions, sporting men, greatest fighter, fight crowd, fight game, manly art Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, New Orleans, John Sullivan, Paddy Ryan, San Francisco, Harry Hill, Billy Madden, Olympic Club, United States, Mike Donovan, Jake Kilrain, Saint Louis, Charlie Mitchell, Opera House, Mike Sullivan, Gilded Age, Joe Goss, National Police Gazette, William Muldoon, Clubber Williams, Frank Moran, Richard Kyle Fox, John Boyle O'Reilly, London Rules, New England New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Irish immigration to the United States swelled to a flood in the middle of the nineteenth century. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
real prizefight, surrogate violence, sporting journalism, fighting togs, sparring exhibition, ring career, two pugilists, prize ring, ring craft, sporting crowd, sporting press, championship belt, commercial spectacle, fight fans, boxing exhibitions, sporting men, greatest fighter, fight crowd, fight game, manly art Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, New Orleans, John Sullivan, Paddy Ryan, San Francisco, Harry Hill, Billy Madden, Olympic Club, United States, Mike Donovan, Jake Kilrain, Saint Louis, Charlie Mitchell, Opera House, Mike Sullivan, Gilded Age, Joe Goss, National Police Gazette, William Muldoon, Clubber Williams, Frank Moran, Richard Kyle Fox, John Boyle O'Reilly, London Rules, New England New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
18
books
cite this book:
See all 18 books citing this book
- Ellis Island to Ebbets Field: Sport and the American Jewish Experience by Peter Levine in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Age of the Bachelor by Howard P. Chudacoff in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Age of the Bachelor by Howard P. Chudacoff in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Strikebreaking and Intimidation: Mercenaries and Masculinity in Twentieth-Century America by Stephen H. Norwood in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Back in the Saddle Again: New Essays on the Western by Edward Buscombe on page 75
See all 18 books citing this book
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