Now in paperback: Nick Tosches's brutal, stunning, and widely praised biography of Sonny Liston -- the world heavyweight champion who hit harder th...
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reviews
Jun 04, 2008
Tina
rated it: 
An interesting book, but not one I'd want to duplicate.
Tosches is clearly a skilled writer, and this book is full of good, muscular prose. The scope of the book is admirable, as is the thoroughness of research. Tosches covers a lot of ground--quite admirably, in fact--and is unbelievably dexterous in reminding readers where in the book they've encountered particular underworld characters before.
So that's the good stuff (very stripped down).
On the less good fr More...
Tosches is clearly a skilled writer, and this book is full of good, muscular prose. The scope of the book is admirable, as is the thoroughness of research. Tosches covers a lot of ground--quite admirably, in fact--and is unbelievably dexterous in reminding readers where in the book they've encountered particular underworld characters before.
So that's the good stuff (very stripped down).
On the less good fr More...
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Feb 07, 2008
I have to say that this book was something of a slight disappointment to me. That's not to say that I didn't learn things about Sonny Liston that I did not know prior to going in, but my problems are more with the author himself and the way he approaches the subject.
I have read a Nich Tosches biography before, his book on Dean Martin, so I should have been prepared. Tosches is one of those biographers who seems to approach his subject the way does his fictional ones. He takes the ske More...
I have read a Nich Tosches biography before, his book on Dean Martin, so I should have been prepared. Tosches is one of those biographers who seems to approach his subject the way does his fictional ones. He takes the ske More...
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Dec 12, 2008
Cwn_annwn_13
rated it: 
This book is worth reading but it could have been a lot better. The author should have left out some of his personal commentary, which was bad enough and made even worse in many cases because it often had nothing to do with the subject matter and seemed totally random. However for all its faults it has more stuff about Sonny Liston than anything else I have ever read. It more or less obsesses on his "darkside" more than boxing or anything else. His various run ins with the law and pris
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Dec 22, 2011
Ensiform
rated it:
A study of the short, mysterious, brutal and strange life of Charles Sonny Liston. Tosches is an erudite writer; his vivid, poetic prose propels his narrative along, even when as a detective biographer he goes out on a limb. It’s fact that Liston was in with the Mob, but that it’s a given in this book that Liston’s two fights to Ali were fixed is a little presumptuous --- but only a little. Tosches has a wealth of interviews and solid evidence at his disposal; that and his moody, evocative pr
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Jan 21, 2009
Kurt
rated it:
Just finished reading this and really liked it. It has the usual Tosches touches of excellent storytelling, amazing research and a dark subject, that make all of his books enjoyable for me to read. However, I don't know who in the hell I'd recommend it to. There's a good deal of writing in here about the history of the Mafia and their hands in the history of boxing, so maybe if you're into that kind of thing you'd dig it. Mostly I like it because it's a human story about a guy that can't quite t
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Sep 19, 2011
Matt
rated it:
This is a rare kind of biography. Its subject is not sympathetic, but was a towering figure in sport and culture. Normally (in my experience), the formula for a biography like that will be: (a) making the subject sympathetic, while ostentatiously distancing yourself as the author from that sympathy; and (or, by) (b) making an iconoclast out of the subject, that is, suggesting his or her problem is that he or she was or is too contrary to established mores to have been properly understood, thro
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Jul 14, 2009
Steven
rated it:
Sonny Liston lived a tortured life, but he was no dumb thug. Here is a book that creates an in-depth history and profile of a very complex and ignored man--Sonny Liston, the heavyweight champion who lost the title to Muhammad Ali.
So why only three stars? When I read a book about boxers, I want to read some analysis of their fights, and I did not find that in these pages. maybe I should have just stuck to Youtube for the fights, but I was disappointed.
So why only three stars? When I read a book about boxers, I want to read some analysis of their fights, and I did not find that in these pages. maybe I should have just stuck to Youtube for the fights, but I was disappointed.
Sep 04, 2011
Ike
rated it: 
I did not enjoy this book. Gratuitous vulgarity and an intrusive, hackneyed style made it hard to read and a little laughable. I suppose I shouldn't have expected to come out of it liking Sonny Liston but I didn't expect to dislike the author personally.
Jan 04, 2009
Todd
rated it: 
The first chapter of Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man": Battle Royale sums this book up, except there isn't a protagonist. Like in this chapter, a kind of metaphor for black oppression, black men fight blindfolded in a boxing ring while their white superiors watch in enjoyment: Sonny Liston was slaved into boxing. A giant thug who was used to make other people money. A modern day slavery despite a huge paycheck.
In this Book Nick Tosches' narrative just got to me and I fo More...
In this Book Nick Tosches' narrative just got to me and I fo More...
Oct 02, 2010
Jess
rated it: 
I don't like sports writing generally but this book is just brilliant. Liston is a guy who seems to punch life itself in the face. Too bad about the shady characters who undid him eventually, he seems, in this portrait, like an all right fellow.
Apr 09, 2009
Xtian
rated it:
Nick Tosches tells stories in a way that really appeals to me.
He loves the muck of life and does a great job at making it something something more than it is.
He loves the muck of life and does a great job at making it something something more than it is.
Jul 18, 2010
Herbert
rated it:
Students can learn about the issues that athletes faced during the time period of Sonny Liston and Ali in comparison to today. The book humanizes a historical figure by exploring his personal life and how greatly it impacted his career. The book explores topics such as racism, drugs, corruption, and organized crime to name a few.
Jul 25, 2009
Pete
rated it:
Arguably the best sports bio I've ever read, along w/ Playing For Keeps by Halberstam.
Nov 12, 2010
Kevin
rated it:
A pure mystery, but Tosches seems to figure him out in a very poetic way.
Dec 17, 2009
Matthew
rated it:
Ohh MAN! I am CONVINCED that if Liston hadn't taken a fall (2 times!!) Ali would NEVER have had the career he had. This guy was just too miserable a human being for people in the sport to let him continue. He couldn't be beat! Tragic story. Who knows if he's the greatest heavyweight ever- the Brown Bomber probably will always get that title, but he is certainly top three- Louis, Liston, Ali.
Jun 19, 2008
Brendan
rated it:
Really disappointing. At times this book seems to be about everyone around Sonny Liston, in particular the criminal element, but not about Sonny himself. I really wanted to learn more about Sonny, but instead got all the intricate details about how the crime world was intertwined with professional boxing. No duh.
Jun 03, 2008
Nick
rated it:
I feel like this book shows why Sonny Liston, who was defeated by Muhammad Ali, was such an interesting person and complicated person. This book doesn't apologize for Sonny Liston's behavior but instead shows the complexities that were Sonny Liston and why he was so misunderstood.
Oct 19, 2011
A forgotten American champion and anti-hero...best known for losing his title to Clay (later Ali)...dark mid-century tale, seedy, covered in criminal element...reminds me that all those gangster movies are actually based on something.
Sep 09, 2008
Leo
rated it:
Great book about boxing. Tosches hits another one out of the park. Get's into the nitty gritty of boxing, the Mob, and fixing fights. Also gives a new perspective on Muhammad Ali and his "Championship" victory.
Jun 08, 2010
Karson
rated it:
The book was pretty good when it was actually talking about Liston. The author got lost in a couple sections discussing obscure mob bosses and their activities. It was okay. Nothing too special.
May 22, 2008
Maureen
rated it:
Another epic story from Nick Tosches. Sonny Liston battled the Devil in one form or another his entire life. I very highly recommend this book. You just have to read the story for yourself.
Jul 16, 2009
Michael
rated it:
Like everything by Tosches (except 'Where Dead Voices Gather'), the book is fascinating, dark, and brilliant. Couldn't put it down.
Feb 06, 2012
Feb 06, 2012
Feb 05, 2012
