My book EDER JOFRE: Brazil's First Boxing World Champion out now!

[chrisjs1985]

I PM'd Chris yesterday that the book had arrived and that I'd start reading it tomorrow(today).Posing more than 600 pages I told him that "I had my work cut out."Don't think there wasn't a red flag there.600 pages?That kind of stuff is reserved for let's say Lincoln.Napoleon,or a Churchill. Well, I get up at the crack of dawn and got cracking.It took me about a half hour to rid any presumptions from a negative bias. Once I got going I didn't come up for air.Maybe lunch.That was it. I've never read 600 pages of a book at one sitting.I set a knew PR today.

As I got momentum I realized that Chris was putting Jofre's life ahead of himself. Let's face it,the great sportswriters want you to walk away after finishing their stuff,wanting you to save as much applause for them as the guy they were writing aboutThey want it in your head that the scribbler had as much worth as his subject.
"That story on( 'so and so') was sure good,but man,that writer sure sold it.He really knows how to tell a story."

I could soon tell that Chris didn't have that intention. He played it in the backround.His meticulous wealth of knowledge wasn't just extracted from the some journals via wrote memory. He talked at length to people who know Jofre.There was a personality underscored throughout every facet of Eder Jofre whether it had to to with family,relationships,events,or boxing.

As Jofre's life moved into the twilight he had to put boxing mostly behind him. There's no quick get to the end wrap up from Chris.In fact the emotions become more touching because with age comes the tragedies.

I'll end this with saying that Chris James Smith has written the best biography about a fighter that I've ever run across. And I've read a few in my day. No, you don't have to have a last name like Lardner,Broun,or Cannon to get attention. Sometimes they want that attention more than the study they're putting down on paper. Chris's book is the most unselfish and unpretentious biography I've ever read about anyone. You nailed it pal

You think later on you could get me Larry Merchant's autograph?

Wow. Roger, I am speechless. I am so honored that you thought so highly of it.

Am I right in assuming you finished ALL of the book in ONE day? If so, bravo, and wow!

[dagosd2000]

Wow. Roger, I am speechless. I am so honored that you thought so highly of it.

Am I right in assuming you finished ALL of the book in ONE day? If so, bravo, and wow!
[/quote]

Look.This is what got me hooked.Like I said earlier,a sportswriter wants to be as recognized as his subject.In order to do that he has to have a style.It's good to have a way with writing about boxing that's congruous with boxing's rough and tumble temperament.When writers like Hemingway,Larder,W.C. Heinze, Barney Nagler,and Jimmy Cannon(Frank De Ford was one of my favorites)they took off the gloves to be one of the boys.
"I'm a tough writer writing about a tough sport."
That bravado is just fine but often gets pretentious.Sports writers who want to be tough on paper were usually writing for the school paper when they were younger instead of trying out for the team.

Howard Cosell's book "I never Played The Game"is a perfect example. Right up front in that title he admitted he was a nerd,but then for rest of the book he disses every athlete he sat next to to do an interview.Writers often force themselves on fighters.Not the other way around. Writers want to manufacture stuff and focus the attention on themselves.They try to succeed with their "style." It's OK to have a "style",but when you throw out the baby with the bathwater by overdoing it,the picture becomes obvious. Your book didn't have any backhandedness or punches aimed below the belt. Your book is honest and for me humbling.If a writer is really writing about himself then it's time for the sports moguls to get you out there.

I try to get off with the "way" I write. I could write about apple dumplings and I'll still be saying the same thing,"It's about me."
The handy adjectives,the cutesy lines,the bawdy references;it's all wind and smoke. So that's me. The shrinks could write their theses on what i post.

Now I'm ready to go on Jeopardy and see the category "Eder Jofre." But you better not be standing beside me.

[Counter-puncher]

I PM'd Chris yesterday that the book had arrived and that I'd start reading it tomorrow(today).Posing more than 600 pages I told him that "I had my work cut out."Don't think there wasn't a red flag there.600 pages?That kind of stuff is reserved for let's say Lincoln.Napoleon,or a Churchill. Well, I get up at the crack of dawn and got cracking.It took me about a half hour to rid any presumptions from a negative bias. Once I got going I didn't come up for air.Maybe lunch.That was it. I've never read 600 pages of a book at one sitting.I set a knew PR today.

As I got momentum I realized that Chris was putting Jofre's life ahead of himself. Let's face it,the great sportswriters want you to walk away after finishing their stuff,wanting you to save as much applause for them as the guy they were writing aboutThey want it in your head that the scribbler had as much worth as his subject.
"That story on( 'so and so') was sure good,but man,that writer sure sold it.He really knows how to tell a story."

I could soon tell that Chris didn't have that intention. He played it in the backround.His meticulous wealth of knowledge wasn't just extracted from the some journals via wrote memory. He talked at length to people who know Jofre.There was a personality underscored throughout every facet of Eder Jofre whether it had to to with family,relationships,events,or boxing.

As Jofre's life moved into the twilight he had to put boxing mostly behind him. There's no quick get to the end wrap up from Chris.In fact the emotions become more touching because with age comes the tragedies.

I'll end this with saying that Chris James Smith has written the best biography about a fighter that I've ever run across. And I've read a few in my day. No, you don't have to have a last name like Lardner,Broun,or Cannon to get attention. Sometimes they want that attention more than the study they're putting down on paper. Chris's book is the most unselfish and unpretentious biography I've ever read about anyone. You nailed it pal

You think later on you could get me Larry Merchant's autograph?

That’s an absolutely brilliant post

[dagosd2000]

That’s an absolutely brilliant post
[/quote]
Thanks.It's really a tremendous work. I keep it close not only as a reference but it's kind of a friend.It gives you a good feeling.

[pound per pound]

Kudos. Jofre could have been the most 2nd skilled offensive minded fighter ever. Just imagine if he was around today.

[Wee Tommy]

The book arrived today. Had a quick look through it and it’s very well put together. Plenty of quality photos throughout including tale of the tapes for fights.

Will report back when I’ve finished it.

Well done Chris good job man you must be proud

[orbtastic]

Got it yesterday. Well written, no ego, quick paced. Lots of pics and info.

[chrisjs1985]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the positive feedback. I absolutely loved writing this book and am humbled to see the reaction of Eder, his family, and now of readers.