Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The bone-jarring crack as a glove smashes into a jaw ... endless seconds as the referee barks "one, two, three" ...the roar of the crowd as the winner lifts his pulpy face in victory ...Boxing's Best Short Stories brings the action of the ring to life with 22 classic tales. Boxing has always had its share of violence, disreputable characters, and shattered dreams, but as an inspiration for great writing it is unsurpassed. The tales included in this classic volume represent every decade of the 20th century and many beloved writers, including Ring Lardner, Nelson Algren, Jack London, Paul Gallico, Ellery Queen, and John O'Hara. The fixed fight, courage under pressure, the crooked promoter, death in the ring, and champs and burns animate these stories and bring to life deeper themes of love, life, and character.
Table of Contents
Rose into cauliflower / by Mel Matison -- The last blow / by Octavus Roy Cohen -- The Croxley master / by A. Conan Doyle -- The higher pragmatism / by O. Henry -- Sonny Liston was a friend of mine / by Thom Jones -- Twenty-five bucks / by James T. Farrell -- Bred for battle / by Damon Runyon -- Heart / by Neil McMahon -- A piece of steak / by Jack London -- Thicker than water / by Paul Gallico -- Return to Kansas City / by Irwin Shaw -- Death of a prize fighter / by Robert Switzer -- A matter of seconds / by Ellery Queen -- The debut of battling billson / by P.G. Wodehouse -- He swung and he missed / by Nelson Algren -- The legend of pig-eye / by Rick Bass -- Everything in the fifth / by Maxence Van Der Meersch -- One-thirty-three: Ringside / by Charles E. Van Loan -- A boxer: old / by Harry Sylvester -- The Chickasha bone crusher / by H.C. Witwer -- Champion / by Ring Lardner -- Stop the fight! / by Norman Katkov.