Shadow Box: An Amateur in the Ring
by George Plimpton
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Stepping into the ring against light-heavyweight champion Archie Moore, George Plimpton pauses to wonder what ever induced him to became a participatory journalist. Bloodied but unbowed, he holds his own in the bout - and brings back this timeless book on boxing and its devotees, among them Ali, Joe Frazier, Ernest Hemingway, and Norman Mailer. SHADOW BOX is one of Plimpton's most engaging studies of professional sport, through the eyes of an inquisitive and astute amateur. From the gym, show more the locker room, ringside, and even in the harsh glare of the ring itself, Plimpton documents what it is to be a boxer, an artist of mayhem, in the finest sports writing of his career. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
George Plimpton was a journalist, for the New Yorker, and the NY Times. He, or his editors decided that in line with his articles that led to the book "Paper Lion" where he underwent training camp as a professional football player, he should try the world of boxing as well. He trained with Archie Moore, then past his prime as a light heavy weight fighter, but still an active trainer. At the end of several months training, George got in the ring with Moore for a scheduled three round fight. The book is illuminating, and well written. Oh...George didn't win.
Droll yet witty insight into professional boxing pre 1980...: George begins his book with his experience of sparring with the great Archie Moore and goes on to discuss the inside machinations/ events/ incidents of professional boxing into the years of Muhammad Ali. His humbling experience early in the piece leads to not only words of self deprecation but also serves as a reference point for his understanding of those in the sport he admires, those who are unique and the bad elements prevalent in the world of boxing. Overall the book is insightful and funny, and at times unique in perspective. Definitely worth picking up a copy...
George's bout with Archie Moore, his association with Ali, miscellaneous boxing lore. Good in parts but tres dilettantish. Did not finish.
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215+ Works 4,660 Members
George Ames Plimpton was born March 18, 1927. He was educated first at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, and then spent four years at Harvard majoring in English and editing the Harvard Lampoon, followed by two at King's College, Cambridge. Before he left for Cambridge, he served as a tank driver in Italy for the U.S. Army from 1945 show more through 1948. After graduation, at about 27 years of age, Plimpton went with his friends to Paris. There they founded the Paris Review in 1953 and published poetry and short story writers and did interviews. In the '50s, Plimpton and staff came to New York, where they kept the Review going for half a century. The Review has published over 150 issues. Plimpton also served as a volunteer for Robert Kennedy's 1968 presidential run and was walking in front of him as the candidate was assassinated in the kitchen of a Los Angeles hotel. Plimpton was known as a "participatory journalist". In order to research his books and articles, he quarterbacked in a pre-season NFL game, pitched to several all-stars (retiring Willie Mays and Richie Ashburn) in an exhibition prior to Baseball's 1959 All-Star game, performed as a trapeze artist for the Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus, and fought boxers Archie Moore and Sugar Ray Robinson. Plimpton was alson known by the nickname the Prince of Cameos for the amount of work he did in films, playing small parts and screenwriting. He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2002. Within a month of the academy induction, the French made him a Chevalier, the Legion of Honor's highest rank. The Guild, an arts organization based on Long Island, gave him a lifetime achievement award. Plimpton was also a member of PEN; the Pyrotechnics Guild International; the National Football League Alumni Association; and the Mayflower Descendants Society. In 2003, Plimpton decided to write his memoirs, signing a $750,000 deal with Little, Brown and Co. Before he could finish, George Plimpton died, on September 26, 2003 of natural causes at the age of 76. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Classifications
- Genres
- Sports and Leisure, Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 796.83 — Arts & recreation Recreation, sports, and performing arts Sports Wrestling / Martial Arts, Judo, Karate Boxing
- LCC
- GV1133 .P56 — Geography, Anthropology and Recreation Recreation. Leisure Recreation. Leisure Sports Fighting sports: Bullfighting, boxing, fencing, etc.
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 78
- Popularity
- 395,704
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (4.21)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 13
- ASINs
- 3
