Library Journal
A good subtitle for this book would be ''The Intellectual's Guide to the Art of Boxing.'' Some very impressive writing talents are assembled here, for in addition to the editors there are special pieces by Gay Talese, A. J. Liebling, Norman Mailer, and George Plimpton. Interspersed are vivid descriptions of such great fights as Dempsey-Tunney, Ali-Frazier, and Duran-Leonard. Many of the authors have a love-hate relationship with the profession; Gerald Early, for instance, is fascinated by the fights but wants them abolished. Too much in-depth analysis and too much reliance on symbolism in some of the pieces but overall a stimulating book that belongs in most public libraries. Samuel Simons, Memorial Hall Lib., Andover, Mass.