Joe Louis My Life

by Joe Louis

Told in his own words, the story of boxer Joe Louis--one of the greatest sports figures of this century--encompasses all the excitement of his career and some of the best fight descriptions ever published. Drugs, women, business failures, the collapse of his first marriage, battles with the U.S. government over taxes--these and other personal conflicts are recounted with startling candor and honesty.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Autobiography

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981), better known as Joe Louis, was an American professional boxer and the World Heavyweight Champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, Louis helped elevate boxing from a decline in popularity in the post-Jack Dempsey era by establishing a reputation as an honest, hardworking fighter at a time when the sport was dominated by gambling interests. Louis' championship reign lasted 140 consecutive months, during which he participated in 26 championship fights; a 27th fight, against Ezzard Charles, was a challenge to Charles' heavyweight title and so is not included in Louis' reign. Louis was victorious in 25 title defenses, a record for any division. In 2005, Louis was ranked as the #1 heavyweight of all-time by the International Boxing Research Organization, and was ranked #1 on The Ring's list of the 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[E.D.E. Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest and insightful, Joe Louis Barrow left history with his own account of the trials and triumphs of his life and times. For that, I am grateful.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of those books I read as young'un. I wonder what life lessons I really learned from it?

That Joe Louis even existed and that he was awesome and that taxes and business deals are very tricky I guess.

But I haven't yet made enough money to have to worry about shady business managers and not paying my taxes.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

greatest fighter of all time