  | Book Details Title: No Way but to Fight: George Foreman and the Business of Boxing |
Book DescriptionReview “Unquestionably, [Smith] did his homework, including research into declassified government documents, and he takes readers to far-flung locales, including Zaire in 1974 or the famous ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ with Muhammad Ali…students of the sport will find plenty to chew on.” (Kirkus 2019-09-29)”Comprehensive…[Smith’s] analysis reaps insights and dispels misconceptions, bringing forth little-known details about the great fighters of Foreman’s era.” (Foreword Reviews 2019-11-01)”A compelling glimpse into the career of a true American success story.” (Booklist 2019-12-01)”[A] well-researched account…Foreman fans and those who remember his Rumble in the Jungle will enjoy this adept look at the champion’s life inside the ring.” (Library Journal 2019-12-01)”[No Way but to Fight] will fill a need for information about all of Foreman’s life story.” (All Sports Books 2020-01-05)”Excellent…a superbly well-researched account of George Foreman’s eventful life…This is a cracking story and while Foreman’s life has been dissected before, Smith’s account, which includes fresh interviews with the man himself as well as extracts from recently declassified government documents, rates as perhaps the best.” (Bristol Post 2020-01-15)”[A] fascinating, colorful new biography…From an era when boxing’s influence reverberated across the United States and the globe, to when Foreman became better known for his infomercials than what he accomplished in the ring, No Way but to Fight uses the boxer as a lens to show a changing society. Smith emphasizes Foreman’s ability to reshape and adapt his image while also nothing the athlete’s complexities. He writes of a boxer who ultimately triumphed in the most unvirtuous of sports.” (Texas Observer 2020-01-28)”In No Way but to Fight, Smith…shows that from his upbringing in Houston’s Fifth Ward to his role as a spokesman for the Foreman Grill, Foreman always fought to redefine himself along with the times. Smith’s telescoping view showcases a Foreman that played with different personalities—including American patriot, soul man, and evangelical preacher—in order to achieve success at distinct stages of his life…No Way but to Fight will appeal to readers interested in the links between money, race, and prize fighting in the United States.” (New Books Network: Sports 2020-01-28) Read more Review “Andrew Smith’s compelling biography of George Foreman illuminates how “Big George”–the man and the myth–shaped the history of boxing and popular culture. Smith deftly reconstructs the public and private lives of a fighter who reinvented himself time and time again. No Way but to Fight is a powerful story about race, class, and violence in America, a revealing portrait of the redemption of a man searching for a life beyond the confines of the “Bloody Fifth” Ward of Houston.” (Johnny Smith, Georgia Tech, co-author, Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X)”George Foreman comes to life in Andrew R. M. Smith’s definitive biography. Based on deep research and a treasure trove of interviews, No Way but to Fight tells the fascinating story of Foreman’s rise to the top of the boxing world, his navigation of the post-Civil Rights era, and his path to becoming the Foreman Grill pitchman. This is an important contribution to our understanding of sports and race in the United States, and it’s a page-turner to boot!” (Ryan Swanson, University of New Mexico, author of The Strenuous Life: Theodore Roosevelt and the Making of the Modern Athlete)”Andrew Smith has written a superb account of George Foreman’s life and career. Utilizing a vast array of primary and secondary sources, Smith astutely chronicles Foreman’s story from his early days in the Fifth Ward of Houston up through his many victories in the prize ring and enormous success as a television personality. In the process, we gain important insights into Foreman’s complicated personality and the often cruel and unforgiving world of boxing.” (David K. Wiggins, David K. Wiggins, George Mason University, author of More than a Game: A History of the African American Experience in Sport) Read more About the Author Andrew R. M. Smith is an assistant professor of sport management and history at Nichols College. Originally from Guelph, Ontario, he lives with his wife and daughters in Woodstock, Connecticut. Read more Customers Review: Great read. Packed with so much history and detail. Expertly crafted story of a fascinating character. George Foreman’s story was definitely worth telling. A great book for any fans of Foreman, fans of boxing or fans of a good biography.
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3 reviews