Michael March 28, 2003

Book review

Have you ever wondered what it was like growing up in the slum of the economy, yet ending up one of the most famous persons in the world… It is a weird question but I definitely think Joe Louis the professional boxer did not know how he was going to end up in life.

The book "Joe Louis: My Life" is about a boy growing up in the poorest of towns, playing around with his brothers and friends fighting, and later becoming the heavyweight champion of the world in boxing. Joe Louis was called the "Brown Bomber", for his furious right hook and his devastating left jab. One after the other Joe would come out victorious in all his fights. He climbed the ladder of skill, and in doing this, he gained fame and fortune. By the age of 23 he had already been announced the world heavyweight champion of boxing. Winning that award is huge for a man of his age b, but what makes it more astonishing, was the fact that he was a black man. Although segregation was going on during this time he still fought hard and won every fight he was fighting.

The book was extraordinary. From the deep detail of every moment in his life, to the head pounding rush of the fights Joe described, mad e the book what it came to be today. The book was written in first person narrative. In doing this it gives the reader a great feeling ion where Joe came from. Every word written was by him. They were his thoughts and his memories. The book is definitely above its time, in the detail aspect.

Boxing has always been one of my favorite sports. When I heard that we could read a book, a biography, I knew that I was going to choice a boxing book. I know a lot about different boxers but I thought and knew that Joe Louis was one of the best. So I chose a book made on him. The book was very good; I would definitely recommend it.