What do you think?
Rate this book
Boxing: A Concise History of the Sweet Science
Sports fans have long been fascinated with boxing and the brutal demonstration of physical and psychological conflict. Accounts of the sport appear as far back as the third millennium BC, and Greek and Roman sculptors depicted the athletic ideals of the ancient era in the form of boxers. In the present day, boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Robinson, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. are recognized throughout the world. Boxing films continue to resonate with audiences, from the many Rocky movies to Raging Bull, The Fighter, Million Dollar Baby, and Ali.
In A Concise History of the Sweet Science, Gerald R. Gems provides a succinct yet wide ranging treatment of the sport, covering boxing’s ancient roots and its evolution, modernization, and global diffusion. The book not only includes a historical account of boxing, but also explores such issues as social class, race, ethnic rivalries, religious influences, gender issues, and the growth of female boxing. The current debates over the moral and ethical issues relative to the sport are also discussed. While the primary coverage of the political, social, and cultural impacts of boxing focuses on the United States, Gems’ examination encompasses the sport on a global level, as well.
Covering important issues and events in the history of boxing and featuring numerous photographs, A Concise History of the Sweet Science will be of interest to boxing fans, historians, scholars, and those wanting to learn more about the sport.
In A Concise History of the Sweet Science, Gerald R. Gems provides a succinct yet wide ranging treatment of the sport, covering boxing’s ancient roots and its evolution, modernization, and global diffusion. The book not only includes a historical account of boxing, but also explores such issues as social class, race, ethnic rivalries, religious influences, gender issues, and the growth of female boxing. The current debates over the moral and ethical issues relative to the sport are also discussed. While the primary coverage of the political, social, and cultural impacts of boxing focuses on the United States, Gems’ examination encompasses the sport on a global level, as well.
Covering important issues and events in the history of boxing and featuring numerous photographs, A Concise History of the Sweet Science will be of interest to boxing fans, historians, scholars, and those wanting to learn more about the sport.
- GenresSports
360 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 29, 2021
Boxing is an ancient sport. It was more brutal in the past than it is now. The main reason for that is the implementation of rules and regulations meant to prevent severe injury.
I know very little of Boxing. I played Punch-Out and Super Punch-Out, but I am not good at those games. There is a manga and anime series called Hajime no Ippo as well, and I have enjoyed that to some extent.
Boxing has more depth than just punching your opponent. There is a psychological aspect of how much punishment your opponent can take and how much damage you can dish out.
"Boxing: A Concise History of the Sweet Science" is a wide-ranging examination of Boxing and how it influences Gender, Race Relations, and much more. Gerald R Gems did a great job and did a lot of research.
I know very little of Boxing. I played Punch-Out and Super Punch-Out, but I am not good at those games. There is a manga and anime series called Hajime no Ippo as well, and I have enjoyed that to some extent.
Boxing has more depth than just punching your opponent. There is a psychological aspect of how much punishment your opponent can take and how much damage you can dish out.
"Boxing: A Concise History of the Sweet Science" is a wide-ranging examination of Boxing and how it influences Gender, Race Relations, and much more. Gerald R Gems did a great job and did a lot of research.
Displaying 1 of 1 review