On Boxing: Amazon.ca: Joyce C Oates: Books

Product Description

From Amazon.com

Yes, the same Joyce Carol Oates who packs one of the most lethal punches in American literature also happens to be an astute observer of the sweet science. Oates filters her knockout collection of essays through multifaceted prisms of art, history, sexuality, and politics to directly confront and explore boxing's physical and commercial brutality, but also the sense of human struggle and survival that's at boxing's purest core. "In the boxing ring," she writes, "man is in extremis, performing an atavistic rite ... for the mysterious solace of those who can participate only vicariously in such drama: the drama of life in the flesh. Boxing has become America's tragic theater." And from her ringside perspective, Oates, a true heavyweight of letters, analyzes the performances just brilliantly. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

A fight fan since her youth, novelist Oates follows in the tradition of boxing-loving writers like Hemingway and Mailer. In a slim volume expanded from a New York Times Magazine article, she candidly assays "The Sweet Science" for its spectacle, aesthetic elements, and its history from ancient Greece and Rome to today's ring dominated by callous promoters, casinos, and TV. Oates concedes boxing's brutality and often seamy side but finds positive merits as tragic theater. Good fare for fans and haters alike, especially those who have read Thomas Hauser's The Black Lights ( LJ 10/15/85) and Sam Toperoff's Sugar Ray Leonard and Other Noble Warriors ( LJ 11/1/86). Morey Berger, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Freehold, N.J.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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10 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

3.5 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars I kind of understand the Haters but..., July 13 2011

By

Mathieu Boisclair "Math" (B.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: On Boxing (Paperback)

This book is not what you might think and there's one really reasonable reason behind it. The original contain vs the version here. On the last page of the interview of Joyce Carol Oates, she says that the original contain was On Boxing and The Cruelest Sport and Joe Louis . However in 1995 she added the piece On Mike Tyson. Then later added the Piece on Ali and Jack Johnson. So here's the deal, each pieces could be read totally independantly. You can start from whatever Chapter you want. It wouldn't make a difference. That's why I understand the hates because at one point you're reading a psychanalyse of boxing, a sociological view of boxing. Which opens the book to another thing afterward: The afro-american fight of racial segregation and denial of questions about the racism in the country which is, with lot of example, in the history of boxing something undeniable. The effort of Joe Louis, The Symbol of Democracy against the Nazi Boxer Max Schmelling. Ali and his enrollment in Nation of Islam (Black Muslims) and even though he was boycotted by the Establishment encourage lot of young black man, like Tyson! So that's why people might say that On Boxing is not necesseraly only on boxing but also a thesis about Social effect a popular event like Boxing had on the History of Afro-american in the 1900-1980. Hope it helps you make a wise choice.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Oates Writes Like Ali Danced, Jun 4 2004

By

Buster Paris (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: On Boxing Pa (Paperback)

Oates Writes Like Ali Danced

4.25 Stars

I really enjoyed this book.

There's another reviewer (Ensio N. Mikkols) who said it best - "The Lady Knows Boxing" and she really does.

I was on the fence about reading this. I went back and forth trying to decide and finally just went for it and I'm glad I did.

Oates has a great and unique perspective on boxing as an art and science. She sounds like she's been around boxing her whole life and has a respect for it.

Her writing style is fancy, elegant and adds respectability to the sweet science.

I love her take on Mike Tyson - I hate that most writers make him sound like a monster. Oates knows he's human and shows him in a fair, understanding and empathetic light.

One sign of a great book is what it leaves you with or what it inspires you to do. I'm left with a greater respect and understanding of the sweet science of bruising and am inspired to read and learn more about Mike Tyson.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Take It From a Fighter, April 8 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: On Boxing Pa (Paperback)

I am still stunned that a person who has never been in the ring could have gained insights into boxing as powerful as the ones Oates pulled together in this book. And I'm grateful (and stunned) that a woman could be as sympathetic, not just to fighters, but to men and manhood, as Oates has managed to be in this book.

I am a serious amateur fighter and a sparring partner to the professional fighters I train with. I do gym work or road work five days a week with a former-professional trainer who was also a two-time NY Golden Gloves champion and junior Olympian. I spar Glovers and pros and I love it. I understand boxing and the love for boxing. The gist of my review here is this: After I read this book I realized I didn't understand my love for boxing -- where it comes from and what it all means and what it is I'm doing exactly -- as well as Joyce Carol Oates does. This woman is amazing to me. I've never read her fiction, but I will.

The first section of this book, the one in which Oates seemingly tries to take on boxing and what it means from every imaginable angle, is best. This is one of those very, very few books that made me fold down corners so that I can easily return to specific passages. I don't know if non-fighters will really understand this book, or if many fighters will ever bother to read it. But I'm damned glad I did and damned glad Ms. Oates is out there writing.

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Most recent customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars liberal lies or bad research
i must address several untruths in ms. oates book.while she is certainly a good writer,apparently she didn't do much research for this book. Read more

Published on Jun 2 2003

1.0 out of 5 stars liberal lies or bad research
i must address several untruths in ms. oates book.while she is certainly a good writer,apparently she didn't do much research for this book. Read more

Published on Jun 2 2003