Synopses & Reviews
Fifteen previously unpublished boxing pieces written between 1952 and 1963.
Demonstrating A.J. Lieblings abiding passion for the “sweet science” of boxing, A Neutral Corner brings together fifteen previously unpublished pieces written between 1952 and 1963. Antic, clear-eyed, and wildly entertaining, these essays showcase a The New Yorker journalist at the top of his form. Here one relives the high drama of the classic Patterson-Johansson championship bout of 1959, and Lieblings early prescient portrayal of Cassius Clays style as a boxer and a poet is not to be missed.
Liebling always finds the human story that makes these essays appealing to aficionados of boxing and prose alike. Alive with a true fans reverence for the sport, yet balanced by a true skeptics disdain for sentiment, A Neutral Corner is an American treasure.
Review
“Fans who thought there was no more vintage Liebling to savor on a winters eve can now rejoice. These fifteen previously uncollected prizefighting pieces . . . add to the wordsmiths impressive knockout record.”—
Time“Nobody wrote about boxing with more grace and enthusiasm than Joe Liebling.” - Red Smith, The New York Times
Synopsis
A Neutral Corner collects fifteen previously unpublished boxing pieces written by legendary sportswriter A.J. Liebling between 1952 and 1963.
Demonstrating A.J. Liebling's abiding passion for the sweet science of boxing, A Neutral Corner brings together previously unpublished material. Antic, clear-eyed, and wildly entertaining, these essays showcase a The New Yorker journalist at the top of his form. Here one relives the high drama of the classic Patterson-Johansson championship bout of 1959, and Liebling's early prescient portrayal of Cassius Clay's style as a boxer and a poet is not to be missed.
Liebling always finds the human story that makes these essays appealing to aficionados of boxing and prose alike. Alive with a true fan's reverence for the sport, yet balanced by a true skeptic's disdain for sentiment, A Neutral Corner is an American treasure.
About the Author
A.J. Liebling joined the staff of
The New Yorker in 1935 and wrote for the magazine until his death in 1963.
Fred Warner and
James Barbour are emeritus professors at the University of New Mexico.