DEMPSEY

If you're a boxer looking for tips from the Legend, this isn't for you. At 300+ pages, you'll be terribly disappointed. I nearly was, but as a scholar and a historian I became enthralled by this life journey and was sorry it ended. Jack's life goes back to the turn of the century as a son of poor Irish immigrants in a dysfunctional family. He found boxing as a way out of poverty and met shyster Jack Kearns who led the way to the world heavyweight title and superstardom. Dempsey burned money as quick as he earned it, the proverbial Irishman who would fall into spit that came up clover. He became an iconic figure who met Presidents, sports legends, movie stars, celebrities and mobsters alike along his path throughout the first half of the 20th century. It is an unforgettable journey alongside a man who remains an eternal inspiration to future generations.

Jack Harry Dempsey...a true American success story...Great read

Great autobiography. Contains tons of unique information you can't get anywhere else.

I've read a lot of boxing books. This is the best by far. Very personal and detailed. Fast shipping too!

Book arrived quickly and in the condition described. Very happy with purchase. Great read. Learned a lot about Dempsey and his life.

Jack Dempsey fought several of the biggest, most controversial fights in boxing history, but you'd never know it by reading this book. His autobiography is as understated and plainspoken, as the Roger Kahn biography is elaborate and flowery. This is particularly the case where Dempsey describes his fights; he has hardly anything to say about ring strategy, or his opponents style. He just states the events leading up to the fight, then gives an account of how the fight went (I don't think he ever spent more than 3 paragraphs on that part). By comparison, I think that Kahn spent at least 30 pages, or so, on just the Willard fight. That's by no means to say that Dempsey's book isn't entertaining, or worth reading -just a remark on the book's style.I don't think anyone would disagree, factually, with what's written in this book, but, of course, it's difficult to know how judicious he was about what he put in. As regards what he did choose to write, he doesn't whine or make excuses for any of the disasters that happened in, or out of the ring ,and there's only one person who I can recall him having anything bad to say about. To read the book, Dempsey comes off as tough, more or less affable roughneck, but also one who's willing to have a laugh at himself. There's a chapter he spends, basically making fun of the movies and plays he did and his acting ability, which is actually pretty funny. That sort of self depreciating humour is spread throughout the book.Jack Dempsey was someone who'd worked as a coalminer, rancher, lumberjack, starving hobo prize fighter, and had ridden the rods(the narrow beams underneath a Pullman) back and forth across the country - and once with broken ribs- several times, all before he was 20. Given all that, you'd maybe not expect a wordy book that's overflowing with the author's feelings.Anyhow, for better or worse, (I tend to lean torward the latter) we won't be seeing his kind again, I don't think, and it's a very different type of American he's been replaced with.

My book, Dempsey, which was published more than 40 years ago, came in excellent condition, was well priced, and was shipped expeditiously.

as far as autobio's go. i guess i could attribute that to its being written by a conservative, old fashioned man with no particular opinions i can remember about anything important. boxers may enjoy it but its not something everyone would be interested in, i don't think.

Amazing book, the man was a true example of how a human being should be, from poor beginnings to the top of the world he never lost his humble and honest character even in the hight of Hollywood America. He actually was the American Dream and still kept his head. His mother s words are very powerful. She told him, " Son if the truth should ever get in your way that will mean you are going the wrong way and don't you ever forget it".

I approached this book with some trepidation being a massive fan of the great Jack Dempsey.I was relieved to find an insightful and honest account from the man himself.When you speak to so called boxing fans today very few have actually heard of Dempsey nevermind know anything about him?This is a great shame as pretty much all of boxings greatest moments happened during the first forty years of the professional gloved era and Dempsey helped carve the history.Thankfully he was able to provide the account before he died othwerwise it would have been lost.I already knew of his character but the book allows new readers to appreciate that not only was he a great boxer he was a great man.Well written and paced, essential reading for any boxing fan today.

A great book about an iconic figure. This remarkable rags to riches story of the hard hitting champion, is written from the humble perspective of a truly legendary human being. Woven between the pages are such characters as 'Doc' Kearns, Maxine and Tex Rickard, all of which put their own unique stamp on American social history. A compelling read for anyone!.

Great book if you follow boxing legends

Bought for my son who is a huge boxing fan. Read it in a few days and absolutely loved it. Would recommend it.