Barney Ross
by Douglas Century
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Description
Part of the Jewish Encounter series Born Dov-Ber Rasofsky to Eastern European immigrant parents, Barney Ross grew up in a tough Chicago neighborhood and witnessed his father's murder, his mother's nervous breakdown, and the dispatching of his three younger siblings to an orphanage, all before he turned fourteen. To make enough money to reunite the family, Ross became a petty thief, a gambler, a messenger boy for Al Capone, and, eventually, an amateur boxer. Turning professional at nineteen, show more he would capture the lightweight, junior welterweight, and welterweight titles over the course of a ten-year career. Ross began his career as the scrappy "Jew kid," ended it as an American sports icon, and went on to become a hero during World War II, earning a Silver Star for his heroic actions at Guadalcanal. While recovering from war wounds and malaria he became addicted to morphine, but with fierce effort he ultimately kicked his habit and then campaigned fervently against drug abuse. And the fighter who brought his father's religious books to training camp also retained powerful ties to the world from which he came. Ross worked for the creation of a Jewish state, running guns to Palestine and offering to lead a brigade of Jewish American war veterans. This first biography of one of the most colorful boxers of the twentieth century is a galvanizing account of an emblematic life: a revelation of both an extraordinary athlete and a remarkable man. From the Hardcover edition. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
As the first biography I ever read (excluding autobiographies), "Barney Ross: The Life of a Jewish Fighter" did not disappoint. Barney Ross, originally known as Beryl Rasofsky, was the son of a rabbi who immigrated from Belarus to the United States of America to provide a better life for his family. Ross' father tried his best to keep everyone in his family away from crime, violence, and fighting, but living in a Chicago ghetto didn't make it easy. All his father's efforts could not stop young Barney from getting into fights and trouble. He would grow up to become one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Maybe I just like book because I'm a fan of Barney Ross, or maybe its just a great biography. Whatever the case may be, I thoroughly show more enjoyed reading this work of writing. Douglas Century's clear, to the point style is pleasing to read, and I enjoyed his references to Ross' autobiography and other outside works. The way Century takes you back in time to the period of Ross' life and makes you feel as if you actually were there is very enjoyable as well. I would definitely read more by Douglas Century, and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in boxing. This is a solid, interesting, quality book. show less
Maybe I just like book because I'm a fan of Barney Ross, or maybe its just a great biography. Whatever the case may be, I thoroughly show more enjoyed reading this work of writing. Douglas Century's clear, to the point style is pleasing to read, and I enjoyed his references to Ross' autobiography and other outside works. The way Century takes you back in time to the period of Ross' life and makes you feel as if you actually were there is very enjoyable as well. I would definitely read more by Douglas Century, and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in boxing. This is a solid, interesting, quality book. show less
A well-written account of an interesting guy.
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8+ Works 238 Members
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Barney Ross
- People/Characters
- Barney Ross
Classifications
- Genres
- Sports and Leisure, Biography & Memoir, Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality
- DDC/MDS
- 796.83 — Arts & recreation Recreation, sports, and performing arts Sports Wrestling / Martial Arts, Judo, Karate Boxing
- LCC
- GV1132 .R65 .C46 — Geography, Anthropology and Recreation Recreation. Leisure Recreation. Leisure Sports Fighting sports: Bullfighting, boxing, fencing, etc.
- BISAC
Statistics
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- 59
- Popularity
- 520,709
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.00)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 2
