New Sugar Ray Robinson Book

[Ambling Alp]

Haven't heard anyone talk about this. It's called "Sweet Thunder" -the Life and Times of Sugar Ray Robinson. It is written by Wil Haygood. I just got done reading this. Overall, I liked it. The author does have a style that is a little different. For example, Robinson and LaMotta lived in New York at the same time before they met each other. He said that they were "breathing the same air".

It goes into some of his personal life. This includes his friendship with Joe louis, his love of Jazz and his friendships with famous musicians.

There was a lot about Henry Armstrong, whom Robinson fought at the end of Armstrong's career. That is nice because you don't seem to read enough about Armstrong in other books.
There was a lot about his unfortunate fight with Jimmy doyle. His six fights with LaMotta are talked about at great length.

My biggest criticism would be that there was too much about musicians and not enough some of his big rivals. There was more about Count Bassie,Duke Ellington, Dizzie Gillepsie than there was about Kid Gavilan,Sammy Angott,and Paul Pender.
In particular I was disappointed that there was not more about his fights with Gavilan. You don't hear much about those fights.
Still, overall it was a good book.

Has anyone else read it, or thought about reading it?

[Goodnight, Irene]

Haven't heard anyone talk about this. It's called "Sweet Thunder" -the Life and Times of Sugar Ray Robinson. It is written by Wil Haygood. I just got done reading this. Overall, I liked it. The author does have a style that is a little different. For example, Robinson and LaMotta lived in New York at the same time before they met each other. He said that they were "breathing the same air".

It goes into some of his personal life. This includes his friendship with Joe louis, his love of Jazz and his friendships with famous musicians.

There was a lot about Henry Armstrong, whom Robinson fought at the end of Armstrong's career. That is nice because you don't seem to read enough about Armstrong in other books.
There was a lot about his unfortunate fight with Jimmy doyle. His six fights with LaMotta are talked about at great length.

My biggest criticism would be that there was too much about musicians and not enough some of his big rivals. There was more about Count Bassie,Duke Ellington, Dizzie Gillepsie than there was about Kid Gavilan,Sammy Angott,and Paul Pender.
In particular I was disappointed that there was not more about his fights with Gavilan. You don't hear much about those fights.
Still, overall it was a good book.

Has anyone else read it, or thought about reading it?

Haven't heard of it until now, but since I haven't previously read on on the man, maybe I'll pick this up. You make it sound pretty readable --- though I, too, would like to hear less of musicians, & more of the ring.

I might buy it on your recommendation, though.

[jaclem2]

...i just finished it. as jazz is an art form which i have been involved in for over 50 years i liked that aspect of the book too. i think the author's intent was to show the world alongside of boxing that sugar ray was so interested in, and his interest in show business.

yes, it virtually ignores too many fights, and some of the comments are most peculiar. for example, he says bobby dykes was noted for his "powerful right hook"!!..and refers to bobo olsen as a power hitter...and there are others.

it's good though on SRR's nightclub and his stature in harlem. and digs into his personality and i think it's worth reading.

one caveat....i think any bio or auto bio of a fighter should have his complete record in it, and this one doesn't.

oops..back to jazz. he makes some bloopers here, too. he refers to the seminal miles davis recording as "the birth of the blues" when he means "the birth of the cool." this is tantamount to saying max baer came from germany and upset joe louis and was defeated by a sensational knockout in one round in their rematch.

[granberry]

...i just finished it. as jazz is an art form which i have been involved in for over 50 years i liked that aspect of the book too. i think the author's intent was to show the world alongside of boxing that sugar ray was so interested in, and his interest in show business.

yes, it virtually ignores too many fights, and some of the comments are most peculiar. for example, he says bobby dykes was noted for his "powerful right hook"!!..and refers to bobo olsen as a power hitter...and there are others.

it's good though on SRR's nightclub and his stature in harlem. and digs into his personality and i think it's worth reading.

one caveat....i think any bio or auto bio of a fighter should have his complete record in it, and this one doesn't.

oops..back to jazz. he makes some bloopers here, too. he refers to the seminal miles davis recording as "the birth of the blues" when he means "the birth of the cool." this is tantamount to saying max baer came from germany and upset joe louis and was defeated by a sensational knockout in one round in their rematch.

The publisher was not competent enough to hire someone competent in both fields to read the book before it was published.

Most books dealing with boxing recently are RIDDLED with mistakes.

The Bert Sugar syndrome.