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A Fighter's Heart: One Man's Journey Through the World of Fighting Hardcover – January 2, 2007

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 462 ratings

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In 1999, after a series of wildly adventurous jobs around the world, Sam Sheridan found himself in Australia, loaded with cash and intent on not working until he’d spent it all. It occurred to him that, without distractions, he could finally indulge a long-dormant obsession: fighting. Within a year, he was in Bangkok training with the greatest fighter in muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) history and stepping through the ropes for a professional bout. That one fight wasn’t enough. Sheridan set out to test himself on an epic journey into how and why we fight, facing Olympic boxers, Brazilian jiu-jitsu stars, and Ultimate Fighting champions. Along the way, Sheridan delivers an insightful look at violence as a career and a spectator sport, a behind-the-pageantry glimpse of athletes at the top of their terrifying game.  An extraordinary combination of gonzo journalism and participatory sports writing, A Fighter’s Heart is a dizzying first-hand account of what it’s like to reach the peak of finely disciplined personal aggression, to hit—and be hit.

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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Sheridan joined the merchant marines after high school, eventually graduated from Harvard, and worked his way to Australia on a yacht. There, in 1999, he decided to indulge his fascination with fighting, hoping to test himself and explore what has become a mostly sublimated aspect of masculinity. After some months of training in Australia, he moved to Bangkok to train with a legendary Muay Thai (kickboxing) champion. That experience--and his first professional bout--expanded into a multiyear odyssey in which he trained with Olympic boxers, Brazilian jujitsu champions, and Ultimate Fighting combatants. The magic in his account is in the telling detail--not only about how he suffers, trains, and fights but also about his reactions to his surroundings; the way, for example, he finds himself gradually becoming indifferent to the street orphans of Brazil, desensitized by their very omnipresence. It isn't Sheridan's toughness or fearlessness that makes this an involving excursion into a shadow world; it's his ability to re-create the textures of those shadows and to make us care about his oddly quixotic journey. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atlantic Monthly Press; Hardcover edition (January 2, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0871139502
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0871139504
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 462 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
462 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2007
In this nonfiction book, Sam Sheridan ventures into the world of mixed martial arts. He is more than a journalist. From a Muay Thai camp in Thailand, to working with Pat Miletich in Iowa, he subjects himself to grueling training. He signs up for fights. He wins, he loses, he gets hurt.

"A Figher's Heart" is memorable, inspiring, and instructive. He points out - being a fighter is all about figuring our who you are, what works for you. It's interesting how that idea comes up again and again throughout the book, whether he is training in Asia or in Brazil. By studying seemingly unrelated arts - Muay Thai, wrestling, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Chi Gun, the author discovers surprising parallels.

I found it very interesting to read about the psychological aspects of professional fighting. The author covers a wide range of topics - from intreviewing a boxer who had killed his opponent in the ring and how it affected him, to his own experience of preparing for a fight. If you haven't ever made a conscious decision to face crippling injury or even death before - this book will tell you exactly what it feels like, to step into the ring. If you have - it will make you want to buy this guy a beer. The part where he talks about an old injury - that kept haunting him, and maade him unable to continue a fight - almost made me cry.

The author doesn't stop there - he talks about dealing defeat, violence, dog fights, feeling alive, celebrity. This is the kind of book that makes you forget about your stupid day job and your cubicle, and makes you realize how good it is to be a man.
32 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2010
I've trained off and on a good portion of my life and recently had my best years training in BJJ. Most would consider me a normal guy who loves his family, who's professional and has a good education with a solid career. Point is most people don't get my love of martial arts the desire to test myself by competing.

This brings me to my review. The reason I enjoyed this book so much is because it explains why a guy like me enjoys the sport of fighting. Not just as a "watcher" but as a "participant". The beginning and end of the book captures and explains these points very well. On the downside I was under the impression the author was going to live out more aspects of a fighter's life than he actually did. That's not to say he was not game it's just to say things didn't always work out the way he'd hoped. I won't say more for those who have not read the book. Also, I found some chapters in the middle of the book and their points a bit of a stretch as it relates to fighting.

Overall, an excellent book and my hat is off to the author for putting into words what so many of us feel but can't articulate as well as he did.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2007
This book is the story of a man's journey through various forms of combat and competition. The author, Sam, tells his story of travelling the world and investigating the culture of fighting positing questions like "Why do people fight?" while discovering things about himself and his own motivations along the way.

Sam's adventures can be relevant even to those who are not particularly interested in martial arts and can appeal far beyond martial arts enthusiasts to anyone who has an interest in the human condition. From the perspective of the author as a student of numerous martial arts philosophies throughout the story, we learn the common denominator of all forms of combat in which humans play a part (even a few involving animals, like dog fighting). The author does not hide the grim reality of injuries that result from participating in these martial arts, as he receives a good deal of punishment in the course of learning, all of the events that transpire are in the spirit of exploration of the common denominator.
Activities the author studies range from Tai Chi to Muay thai to western boxing to Brazilian Jujitsu and beyond. When I began reading the book I was mildly interested in the author's experience studying Muay Thai abroad, my initial motivation for reading the book, but by the end I could appreciate in more depth the motivations of practitioners of violence from MMA fighters to pit bulls.

There are several major appealing factors of this book.
1) It attempts to make hand-to-hand combat relevant even to the non-fighter
2) The sheer scope of styles covered can be a draw to anyone with a general interest in martial arts
3) Even those who do not condone physical combat can appreciate the honesty of of the author in his quest for understanding the fighting spirit
4) The author is a great storyteller, and spins his yarn to engage and relate to the reader

I'm a poor reader, generally speaking, but I could not put this book down once I started reading it. I highly recommend it.

I never too much interest in fighting before a couple months ago, but I recently started doing muay thai (kickboxing) and a friend told me about this book. If you're not a fighter, but have ever wondered why people make such a fuss over these brutal spectacles, this book will give you a peek into the mind of a fighter. If you are a practitioner of combative sports, I think you'll be able to relate to Sam, his questions, and his adventures all the more.
10 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2013
I loved this book. This guy is kind of a hero to me. His story is inspiring from beginning to end. Here we have a man who saw his dreams and went for them, and never gave up no matter how much difficulty he faced. His determination and endurance seemed at times almost Herculean, even godlike. Sheridan is a good writer too, and manages to keep you engulfed in his story the whole time. This is the kind of book you read and when you are done, almost feel an inexplicable camaraderie with the author even though you've never met him. Or maybe it is just a deep respect. But whatever it is, it inspired me greatly to do more with my life... I can honestly say this man's story changed my life for the better. I owe a good bit of the positive in my life right now to the inspiration that this book provided for me. Have not gotten around to the sequel to this, A Fighter's Mind, but I will eventually. Not saying this book will change your life---chances are it just speaks to me on a personal level---but at the very least it will provide you with an interesting read when you've got nothing better to do.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2023
The book was in as good or better than advertised condition. It arrived sooner than expected. Job well done!

Top reviews from other countries

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T. Reis
4.0 out of 5 stars Interessante exploração do backstage do mundo das lutas
Reviewed in Brazil on September 3, 2020
"A Fighter's Heart" é um livro que relata a jornada de um escritor no mundo da luta. Começa com o autor aceitando um emprego de marinheiro após se formar em Harvard. Ele junta a grana recebida trabalhando no iate e, após passar um tempo na Austrália, decide aprender muay thai na Tailândia. Aí começa uma viagem de descobrimento que o levará ao Brasil, aos EUA e ao Japão. Tem bons insights, narrativa fluida e um ar de backstage das lutas. Legal ver, por exemplo, como é o Minotauro fora das câmeras ou como funcionava um camp de atletas do nível de campeões do UFC.
Enquanto trata especificamente do mundo da luta, o livro é muito bom. Porém, quando tenta explorar áreas correlatas, acho que deixa um pouco a desejar. Alguns paralelos parecem um pouco forçados e o tempo despendido nessas áreas indiretamente ligadas às artes marciais poderia ter sido reduzido.
Interessante pra quem gosta do tema.
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T. Reis
4.0 out of 5 stars Interessante exploração do backstage do mundo das lutas
Reviewed in Brazil on September 3, 2020
"A Fighter's Heart" é um livro que relata a jornada de um escritor no mundo da luta. Começa com o autor aceitando um emprego de marinheiro após se formar em Harvard. Ele junta a grana recebida trabalhando no iate e, após passar um tempo na Austrália, decide aprender muay thai na Tailândia. Aí começa uma viagem de descobrimento que o levará ao Brasil, aos EUA e ao Japão. Tem bons insights, narrativa fluida e um ar de backstage das lutas. Legal ver, por exemplo, como é o Minotauro fora das câmeras ou como funcionava um camp de atletas do nível de campeões do UFC.
Enquanto trata especificamente do mundo da luta, o livro é muito bom. Porém, quando tenta explorar áreas correlatas, acho que deixa um pouco a desejar. Alguns paralelos parecem um pouco forçados e o tempo despendido nessas áreas indiretamente ligadas às artes marciais poderia ter sido reduzido.
Interessante pra quem gosta do tema.
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James
5.0 out of 5 stars A well written delve into the world of professional fighting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 9, 2012
Sam Sheridan tells a story of entering into the world of martial arts, travelling to locations like Brazil, America and Thailand. He looks deep into the psychology of such pursuits, even trying meditation with Buddhist monks, comparing his experiences of different sports like boxing, Muay Thai, Jui-jitsu and Tai Chi. He does go into quite some depth about dog fighting, which it is clear to see the point he is raising, of gameness being present in both animals and humans, despite animals not having a choice. Although it is something I disagree with at least I can say that with more knowledge of why I condemn it. It is clearing to see that he wanted to add some different angles to it.

The only thing he missed out on was talking about journey men, he does touch on it, but doesn't describe it fully. I think discussing the psychology a journey man is crucial, since to one degree or another they're abundant in most of these sports.

Overall it's well worth reading, even if you've only got an interest in fighting from just a spectator point of view.
Amarczon
5.0 out of 5 stars Interessant und inspirierend
Reviewed in Germany on November 26, 2011
Sam Sheridan ist ein ehemaliger Kunststudent der renommierten Harvard Universität. Außerdem liebt er die Extreme im Leben und den Kampfsport. Nachdem er die High school beendet hatte, trat er in die Handelsmarine ein. Anschließend besuchte er Harvard bis zu seinem Abschluss im Jahr 1998. Nach dieser soliden Ausbildung begann Sheridan dann die Welt zu erkunden. Und dies tat er auf seine Weise, indem er immer nur den extremsten Weg ging.

Schon während seiner Zeit in der Handelsmarine und in Harvard betrieb er Boxen als Hobby, und entwickelte eine Leidenschaft für den Kampfsport. In den folgenden Jahren wollte er sie dann alle kennenlernen. Er trainierte Muay Thai im berühmten Fairtex Gym in Bangkok, lernte MMA in Pat Miletichs Schule in Bettendorf, Iowa, trainierte mit den Jiu-Jitsu Meistern des Top Teams in Rio, Brasilien, bevor er zurück zum Boxen kam, und mit dem aufstrebenden (mittlerweile Weltmeister) Talent Andre Ward trainierte. Zwischendurch nahm er auch Zeitarbeit an, zum Beispiel um eine Forschungsstation in der Antarktis aufzubauen oder bei den Smokejumpers (Feuerwehrkräfte die mit Fallschirmen in Brandzonen abspringen) auszuhelfen. Außerdem befasste er sich mit der für einen Kämpfer nötigen Verschmelzung von Geist und Körper, lernte Tai Chi und Meditation, und schließlich wandte er sich dem psychologischen Aspekt des Kampfes zu, inklusive einer kurzen Exkursion in die Welt des Tierkampfes. Wenn das eigene Geld ausging, zog er einen Journalistik-Deal an Land, in dem er für Verlage über seine Abenteuer schrieb. So konnte er seine Unternehmungen finanzieren, und letztlich führten sie zum hier besprochenen Buch "A fighter's heart".

Das vorliegende Buch von Sam Sheridan ist nicht nur für Kampfsportler interessant. Sicherlich, jeder, der sich für Kampfsport im Allgemeinen interessiert, wird hier voll auf seine Kosten kommen. Sheridan beschreibt die Trainings, die Kämpfe, die Kameraderie unter den Kämpfern und das Spiel hinter den Kulissen ausgezeichnet. Auch der Teil über die Psychologie des Kampfes ist interessant. Aber auch abseits des Kampfes ist dies ein fantastisches Buch, da Sheridan auf wunderbare Weise zeigt, wie man sein Leben auch führen kann. Nach Abschluss einer starken Ausbildung als Hintergrund, führt ihn sein Faible für Kampfsport auf eine Entdeckungsreise um die Welt, und eröffnet ihm immer wieder neue Möglichkeiten, seine Träume auszuleben. So hat das Buch zusätzlich einen äußerst inspirierenden Aspekt, der es zu einem noch größeren Lesevergnügen macht.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars High impact reading!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2021
Written like you'd like to read it. If you've ever wondered what it's like to be smacked in the face for hobby and havent watched mma on tv this is a book for you. Read the other book as well. Gripping stuff a bit like fight club meets a fly on the wall documentary.
JonoX
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Read
Reviewed in Canada on August 31, 2016
Get this and "The Professor in the Cage" for the best insider looks into combat sports.