Synopses & Reviews
Set in New York in the Depression, this is the story of Jim Braddock, who takes up boxing to make money to feed his family, and eventually goes up against champ Max Baer, notorious for having killed two men in the ring.
James J. Braddock, born in New York City, was known locally for his thunderous right hand and successful amateur boxing career. After turning professional, he defeated foe after foe, and his rapid rise from obscurity earnt him the nickname, the Cinderella Man. He was given a shot at the world light heavyweight title against champion Tommy Loughran in 1929, but lost in a 15–round decision. Following that defeat and the stock market crash of 1929, Jim Braddock struggled to win fights and provide for his young family.
Eventually Jim's luck turned. In 1934 he had upset wins against Corn Griffin and John Henry Lewis. With these two wins, Braddock set himself up for another shot at the world title – against heavyweight champion, Max Baer. On 13 June 1935, as a 10 to 1 underdog, Jim took the world title from Max Baer in what was described as, 'the greatest fistic upset since the defeat of John L. Sullivan by Jim Corbett'. Braddock would lose his heavyweight title two years later in an eight–round KO to 'The Brown Bomber', Joe Louis. Jim was inducted into the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1964, the Hudson County Hall of Fame in 1991 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.
About the Author
Marc Cerasini and Alice Alfonsi, a popular husband-and-wife writing team, were born and raised in Pittsburgh, met in New York City, and married in Las Vegas. Together they've authored a number of bestselling books. As Cleo Coyle, they write The Coffeehouse Mysteries, including the number-one and number-two Independent Mystery Booksellers Association bestsellers On What Grounds and Through the Grinder. As Alice Kimberly, they write The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, including The Ghost and the Dead Deb and the IMBA bestseller The Ghost and Mrs. McClure. Under their own names they authored 24: The House Special Subcommittee Investigation of CTU, based on the Emmy Award-winning Fox television show 24. Separately, Mr. Cerasini, who has ghostwritten for Tom Clancy, has authored over thirty books for adults and children, including the New York Times bestseller O.J. Simpson: American Hero, American Tragedy, the original novel Wolverine: Weapon X for Marvel Press, and novelizations based on the films Cinderella Man and AVP: Alien Vs. Predator. Ms. Alfonsi, a book editor and former newspaper reporter, has written a number of original and media tie-in novels, including the New York Times bestseller Hidden Passions: Secrets from the Diaries of Tabitha Lenox, an original novel based on the offbeat daytime drama Passions.