Although in the late 1980's boxing is socially frowned upon and illegal for women in Ireland, a young women named Deirdre Gogarty has one dream: to be the first world champion. Unable to fit in at school and in the midst of her parents' unraveling marriage, she plans her suicide. Death hovers in the back of her mind, but boxing beckons as Gogarty defies the odds and finds a gym and coach who is willing to train her. Her fierce determination leads to underground bouts in Ireland and Britain. But how can a shy, young misfit become a professional boxer in a country that bans women from the sport? Gogarty follows her calling to compete and journeys from the Irish Sea to the Gulf of Mexico, from outcast to center ring, from the depths of depression to the championship fight of her life.
My Call to the Ring: A Memoir of a Girl Who Yearns to Box
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Ron
Format:Kindle Edition
I have read this book cover to cover. Whether you are reading for the purpose of women's equality, a come from behind victory, true guts and determination or a sports champion, it is all here! I want to meet this champ to have my copy signed. It will remain with my collection of favorite books
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By jrennie
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The story was compassionate and compelling. Well written. A great read. A story that will uplift any man or woman who faces adversity and has the will to overcome.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Jennifer
Format:Paperback
Wonderfully descriptive and lively memoir set in Ireland and the United States. It's narrated in a very likable, easy-to read voice.
Deirdre Gogarty struggles at school with harsh teachers and bullying students and at home with an autistic brother and a depressed mother. After seeing an interview on television with Jack Dempsey, she asks her dad for a punching bag. He gives her a makeshift one, and she stuffs it with newspapers. And this changes her life. She says, ""I don't need a nun's blessing because I know my salvation is buried in a punch bag stuffed with newspapers and rags."
By sixteen, she loves boxing and studies its history and from her summer job saves enough money to buy boxing gloves. And is able to train at a boxing club.
Then she gets to come to the United States where it's not forbidden for women to fight. And she gets to fight in Louisiana, Mississippi, and even in my hometown of Fort Smith, Arkansas. And then finally in Vegas. Great descriptions and insights--"Waiting is the worst part of fighting." I hate to reveal too much more about what happens. I just want to say that this is a truly inspiring story. I loved it.
Deirdre Gogarty struggles at school with harsh teachers and bullying students and at home with an autistic brother and a depressed mother. After seeing an interview on television with Jack Dempsey, she asks her dad for a punching bag. He gives her a makeshift one, and she stuffs it with newspapers. And this changes her life. She says, ""I don't need a nun's blessing because I know my salvation is buried in a punch bag stuffed with newspapers and rags."
By sixteen, she loves boxing and studies its history and from her summer job saves enough money to buy boxing gloves. And is able to train at a boxing club.
Then she gets to come to the United States where it's not forbidden for women to fight. And she gets to fight in Louisiana, Mississippi, and even in my hometown of Fort Smith, Arkansas. And then finally in Vegas. Great descriptions and insights--"Waiting is the worst part of fighting." I hate to reveal too much more about what happens. I just want to say that this is a truly inspiring story. I loved it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Million Dollar Story
This terrific memoir captures the courage and tenacity of a woman who refuses to quit on her dreams. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. J. Crown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Getting in the ring
Darrelyn Saloom knows how to take you on a journey. "My Call To The Ring" captures the story of Deirdre Gogarty and brings you along. Read more
Published 1 month ago by sidelines
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deirdre's Call To The Ring
Wow, what a great book! This young lady boxer was a brave and fantastic person in addition to being a non-stop, non-stoppable boxer. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Denis Mouton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
Couldn't put it down! Was a great book about a young woman with grit! Looked at video's of her fighting and she is quite the gal. Read more
Published 4 months ago by professer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A TALE OF UNRELENTLING COURAGE AND DETERMINATION ...
My Call To The Ring: A Memoir Of A Girl Who Yearns To Box is the story of Deirdre Gogarty, an Irish lass whose love for the fight game in the `80s sets her on a quest to become a... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Paul Bishop
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing story
Inspiring, challenging, encouraging story and a great narrative. Must-read for all female athletes. As a journalism scholar, beyond reading it I thought, how awesome story it was... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Esra Arsan
4.0 out of 5 stars
knocked me out
I read this book on Kindle edition primarily because of my connection to one of the authors as a fellow blogger. I would not have picked up a memoir about a woman boxer otherwise. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Shirley H. Showalter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rich and Powerful Story
My Call to the Ring is such a rich and powerful story. I found myself incredibly drawn into the life of this girl who first has to survive the nuns at school and then knows deep... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Dave
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring
An inspiring well written story (you don't even have to be a boxing fan to enjoy).
If you like a book that expresses many emotions of an human being, you won't be... Read more
If you like a book that expresses many emotions of an human being, you won't be... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Carolyn A Patin
5.0 out of 5 stars
AN AMAZING WOMAN WITH PURE GUT, SOUL AND HEART
After reading Deirdre's book, I have developed a profound admiration and respect for this highly recognized woman. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Carole Credeur
