Author:Norman Mailer
From one of the major innovators of New Journalism, Norman Mailer's The Fight is the real-life story of a clash between two of the world's greatest boxers, both in and out of the ring, published in Penguin Modern Classics.
Norman Mailer's The Fight focuses on the 1974 World Heavyweight Boxing Championship in Kinshasa, Zaire. Muhammad Ali met George Foreman in the ring. Foreman's genius employed silence, serenity and cunning. He had never been defeated. His hands were his instrument, and 'he kept them in his pockets the way a hunter lays his rifle back into its velvet case'. Together the two men made boxing history in an explosive meeting of two great minds, two iron wills and monumental egos.
'"If ever a fighter had been able to demonstrate that boxing was a twentieth-century art, it must be Ali", says Norm, and his achievement in this masterly book is of a similar order, demonstrating that writing about sport can also be a twentieth-century art'
Geoff Dyer, New Statesman
'Probably no one has written about boxing better than Mailer has'
Guardian
The most insightful cricket book of the year
—— Paul Newman , Daily MailExcellent
—— Mike Atherton , The TimesAn excellent book and courageous in the way it revisits and interrogates the opinions of the moment, including the author's own, in light of subsequent developments. As well as knowledge there is a rare warmth and sympathy to his portraits of men who are probably easier to respect than truly to know. The Plan is rich in unfamiliar detail and even the sideways glances are penetrating. The cricket points are well made, the personal judgements astute. Like his subjects James has made a good plan and stuck to it
—— Gideon Haigh , The CricketerFine detail... a persuasive account of the renaissance of English cricket, and no one is better qualified to tell it. [Steve James] has become a member of an influential new British school of cricket writing
—— The EconomistJames' quiet excellence, uncomplicated style and informed perspective make his Sunday column a "don't miss". The Plan is more of the same... Compelling
—— Sam Collins , CricinfoA hugely enjoyable and engrossing read... highly recommended
—— The Reverse SweepUnrivalled insight and captivating analysis... James has peerless knowledge of Fletcher and Flower - he argues his view brilliantly
—— www.cricketweb.netI commend to you The Nowhere Men by Michael Calvin – brilliant book, great journalism
—— Ian Herbert , The IndependentA hugely insightful read
—— FourFourTwo MagazineTop sports writer Michael Calvin lifts the lid on the talent scouts
—— Sunday ExpressIt's superb, one of the best of the year. One of those books where you learn something every couple of pages.
—— Iain Macintosh , co-author of Football Manager Stole My LifeA must-read for all soccer fans
—— ChoiceLucidly researched
—— David Miller , The OldieThe unlikely true story of two US ex-pros who travelled to Rwanda with visions of creating Africa’s first world-beating professional cycling team
—— Simon Usborne , IndependentThis book is an entertaining account taking in everyone from stage winners and former yellow jerseys who couldn’t hang on, to a breakaway leader who stopped for a bottle of wine and then took a wrong turn, to a doper whose drug cocktail backfired
—— Bike RadarWe know the winners of the Tour de France, but Lanterne Rouge tells the forgotten, often inspirational and occasionally absurd stories of the last-placed rider
—— Miss Dinky