EBOOK
About
Known as the Brown Bomber, Joe Louis defended his heavyweight title an astonishing twenty-five times. Through the 1930s, he got more column inches of newspaper coverage than President Roosevelt. At a time when the boxing ring was the only venue where black and white could meet on equal terms, Louis embodied Black America's hope for dignity and equality. And in 1938, his politically charged defeat of German boxer Max Schmeling made Louis a national hero on the world stage.
Through meticulous research and first-hand interviews, acclaimed biographer Randy Roberts presents a complete portrait of Louis and his outsized impact on sport and country. Digging beneath the simplistic narratives of heroism and victimization, Roberts reveals an athlete who carefully managed his public image, and whose relationships with both the black and white communities-including his relationships with mobsters-were deeply complex.
Through meticulous research and first-hand interviews, acclaimed biographer Randy Roberts presents a complete portrait of Louis and his outsized impact on sport and country. Digging beneath the simplistic narratives of heroism and victimization, Roberts reveals an athlete who carefully managed his public image, and whose relationships with both the black and white communities-including his relationships with mobsters-were deeply complex.
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Reviews
"As sleek and powerful as Louis in his prime, Roberts's biography strips away the hagiography and victimology to portray the great champion as a vibrant player in the heart of the American century."
Robert Lipsyte, New York Times contributor
"Randy Roberts has written the definitive biography of the most famous African American in the first half of the twentieth century. With literary flair, Joe Louis captures the meaning of this folk hero, paints a vivid picture of the boxing world, and delivers countless historical insights."
Aram Goudsouzian, author of King of the Court: Bill Russell and the Basketball Revolution
"Roberts takes you ringside as one of the greatest practitioners of 'the Sweet Science' makes history, but he doesn't stop there. He explains the race relations and international politics of the 1930's that, along with his hard punches and no-nonsense style, made Joe Louis immortal."
Jesse Jackson Jr., former congressman