I just finished reading "Black Genesis: The History of the Black Prizefighter 1760-1870" and wanted to say that it is one of the best books that I have ever read on boxing, and not to brag, but I have read a lot of books on the topic. In terms of presenting accurate information “Black Genesis” is not only written in a very intelligent way, but also in a style that anyone can easily understand. Until "Black Genesis" there was less than a handful of books about Black boxers, so to say that it is a very important book would be an understatement, but unlike the other books, this one sticks to fact whereas others were about half and half. For instance, the Black Dynamite Series by Nat Fleischer was a very important series, but Fleischer was always someone who if he did not have the actual facts surrounding a certain issue, then he had no reservations about making up a story and presenting it as fact. Well that is not the case with Black Genesis as Kevin Smith not only has presented a lot of new info, but he has really put in the research time to correct several false anecdotes that have been passed down through the years as fact!
When there was an incident, or something that Kevin Smith was unable to locate an actual source for, which was certainly not often, he would not make up something, or guess, but instead let the reader know that an actual source could not be found, but like I said, that is a rarity because Smith has done a very diligent job at uncovering facts about the early Black bare-knuckle fighters.
Personally, I have never been real interested in any pre-1890 boxing, but after reading this first volume in Smith's soon to be series, I have gained a new interest in prizefighting and certainly cannot wait until his next volume comes out. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in boxing history not only for the importance of it, but also for the facts that are covered and told on a period of boxing that has long needed to be given life and Kevin Smith has certainly given the era life!
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of “Black Genesis!”
Great Book to Read, Black Genesis!!!
That would be a must for my library. A film would be even better.silkov wrote:Whose writing the Siki biography?... that has the potential to be a great book, he was such a colourful character....Sherlock wrote:Sounds like a great read. Will have to get a copy. I'm also really looking forward to the new Battling Siki biography coming out later this year.
-
robert.snell1
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 16 Oct 2003, 07:56
Re: re
a very interesting point you make there barry. both of them had problems with the radical change with regard to social adjustment and their apparent lack of ability to come to terms with it. Siki in particular went from one dire situation to another, with the end result being killed.barry wrote:>>>That would be a must for my library.<<<
I agree...I have always been interested in his life and career. Siki’s life in the civilized world was very comparable to the life that Tom Molineaux had in Great Britain.
Its also very true to note that he was depicted as a fool and clown which is hardly a surprise when you look at some of the things he did - even when we allow for some artistic exageration of the reporters of the day.
i think he may well have fallen into the trap of behaving in a manner which he believed people would accept or more likley he did it as it was his means of coping with things. his view of the woman who took him to France are rather tragic and show a very simplistic side to his nature and view of the world.
"Siki's life in the civilized world"
That quote sums up the entire problem with the pity sorrounding Siki today and the antipathy sorrounding him during his life. It was felt that he was a simple jungle child who was brought to the "civilized world" and could never adjust. That bullshit myth created by igorant, racist, colonials who knew nothing about Siki. He laughed at this idea and would still to this day. He said himself he had never seen a jungle and was born in large, fairly modern city in Africa. He didnt behave the way he was "expected" to behave because people expected him to behave civilized which he rarely did. He was an egomaniacal nut with a very heavy self destructive streak. He drank too much, gambled too much, beat up waiters, busboys, and bartenders at the slightest excuse. He beat women, whether he was married to them or not, frequented brothels of all variety and regardless of classy or slummy. You name it. The bottom line is he was basically a jackass and eventually paid for it. Most people dont realize that a while before he was murdered he got stabbed in a barroom brawl and was taken to the hospital. After a stay of a few hours he threw off the orderlies and simply walked out despite all attempts to get him to stay and recuperate. He was called a war hero but some researchers have suggested that instead of capturing a german machine gun nest during world war 1 as has often been stated he actually may have killed a group of unarmed german pows. Hopefully the book will shed light on this. I hope this author has really done his work on the subject and done some serious digging in france because that is where the true meat and potatoes of this story is. If he just went through wire reports and US news then this book wouldnt be worth toilet paper.
That quote sums up the entire problem with the pity sorrounding Siki today and the antipathy sorrounding him during his life. It was felt that he was a simple jungle child who was brought to the "civilized world" and could never adjust. That bullshit myth created by igorant, racist, colonials who knew nothing about Siki. He laughed at this idea and would still to this day. He said himself he had never seen a jungle and was born in large, fairly modern city in Africa. He didnt behave the way he was "expected" to behave because people expected him to behave civilized which he rarely did. He was an egomaniacal nut with a very heavy self destructive streak. He drank too much, gambled too much, beat up waiters, busboys, and bartenders at the slightest excuse. He beat women, whether he was married to them or not, frequented brothels of all variety and regardless of classy or slummy. You name it. The bottom line is he was basically a jackass and eventually paid for it. Most people dont realize that a while before he was murdered he got stabbed in a barroom brawl and was taken to the hospital. After a stay of a few hours he threw off the orderlies and simply walked out despite all attempts to get him to stay and recuperate. He was called a war hero but some researchers have suggested that instead of capturing a german machine gun nest during world war 1 as has often been stated he actually may have killed a group of unarmed german pows. Hopefully the book will shed light on this. I hope this author has really done his work on the subject and done some serious digging in france because that is where the true meat and potatoes of this story is. If he just went through wire reports and US news then this book wouldnt be worth toilet paper.
re
You know Klompton, you are so full of shit about a lot of things, but your statements here are about as ridiculous as anything I have ever heard you say! Sometimes it's just better to keep your mouth shut! Do you actually think that Siki had the same kind of advantages as we do to excel in life? Do you think that he was brought to France by a rich aristocrat and only failed because he wanted to, simply because he did not take advantage of things? Get real, that bullshit! He was brought up in a circus-like environment and I am sure that it was more than once that he was made to be the "performing monkey" in the side-show that he was brought up in and that is how he learned how to act in society! Speaking of a book not being worth toilet paper, you still have a lot to prove yourself...that is if you ever get your Harry Greb book published, so before you start criticizing yet another book, that you have absolutely no idea about and which has not even been published, you need to worry about getting your own book correct!
As I wrote about "Black Genesis" on the CBZ message board:
I second BDeskins recommendation of "Black Gensis".
I have read well over 100 boxing books and "Black Genesis" is one of the better ones. It is not only a great read, it is also a very important book in terms of black boxing history. No one has ever done such a thourough job at documenting the lives and careers of early black prizefighters. I learned a great deal from reading "Black Genesis".
Kevin Smith has a follow-up book in the works which will probably be out some time later this year. Based on his prior work, which also includes "Boston's Boxing Heritage 1882-1955", it is a virtual guarantee that it will be another great read. I for one am eagerly awaiting "Black Genesis 2" (most likely not the actual title, but you know what I mean).
-KOKid-
I second BDeskins recommendation of "Black Gensis".
I have read well over 100 boxing books and "Black Genesis" is one of the better ones. It is not only a great read, it is also a very important book in terms of black boxing history. No one has ever done such a thourough job at documenting the lives and careers of early black prizefighters. I learned a great deal from reading "Black Genesis".
Kevin Smith has a follow-up book in the works which will probably be out some time later this year. Based on his prior work, which also includes "Boston's Boxing Heritage 1882-1955", it is a virtual guarantee that it will be another great read. I for one am eagerly awaiting "Black Genesis 2" (most likely not the actual title, but you know what I mean).
-KOKid-