Review by Choice Review
From the books of 19th-century writers Pierce Egan (Boxiana) and Henry Downes Miles (Pugilistica) to the various volumes by Nat Fleischer and other more recent boxing writers, there have been any number of histories of the so-called sweet science. Most of the more recent ones carefully trace the story of the heavyweight championship, covering the reigns of the giants--Sullivan, Johnson, Dempsey, Louis, Marciano, and Ali--and the lesser title holders. Occasionally, in an attempt to be more comprehensive, a book may include a brief treatment of the non-heavyweight champions. In any case, most have adopted a chronological approach to their subject. Gems (North Central College) takes a more sociological approach. After two chapters that cover the ancient beginnings and evolution of boxing, he offers five topical chapters in which he examines concerns central to modern historical and sociological inquiry: social class, race, ethnicity, religion, and gender. These chapters provide a useful lens through which to examine boxing. Particularly valuable are Gems's footnotes and bibliography, which offer detailed references for anyone who wants to dig deeper into secondary sources. This study will be useful to nonspecialists interested in sports in general as well as boxing. --Randy W. Roberts, Purdue University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Gems (The Athletic Crusade) presents a dynamic history of boxing from the death fights in ancient Greece to the hyped bouts of today, with a lens towards the sport's evolution and cultural impact. Attempting neither to glorify nor vilify the sport, the author's goal rather is to flush out boxing's place in context of human history. The best parts of the book focus on when the sport has been used for political and social means. Communist countries have used female boxers to proclaim the might of their people. Nations staged fights for regional power. The section on gender in sports is particularly strong as well. Women were boxing in modern times as early as the 1700s, though have always been looked at lesser than male counterparts. The discussion of class and race is also refreshing in a sports history and emblematic of Gem's ability to be thorough in both scope and specificity. This minutia will delight boxing fanatics well but may slow the reading experience for those with only a casual interest. Gem's meticulously researched book serves as an exemplar cultural overview of a sport in its full view. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review by Library Journal Review
Gems (health and physical education, North Central Coll.; Sport and the Shaping of Italian-American Identity; The Athletic Crusade) traces boxing's growth and influence from prehistory to today. Eschewing a strictly chronological account the author presents the sport through the lenses of such issues as race, ethnicity, social class, and religion. Even gender is considered (the sport illustrates the drive to prove one's hypermasculinity as when Emile Griffith beat to the death in the ring Benny "Kid" Paret, who had the temerity to call Griffith a maricon [gay]). Female participation in the sport since the 1700s is examined as well, which is fortunate since boxing fans have all heard of Laila Ali, but who knew that Clara Bow, the "It Girl" of 1920s film, surreptitiously boxed? Many of the elements covered are interrelated so there is some overlap from chapter to chapter but that does nothing to damage the author's presentation. -VERDICT A unanimous decision for a heavily documented study that should also appeal to many readers of popular sports history.-Jim Burns, Jacksonville P.L., FL (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
