The Fight by Norman Mailer Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Fight
Book Review: The most complete fight book ever written
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the most comprehensive book on the " Rumble in the jungle" one can hope to get. The beauty of the book is that unlike other biographies it never loses it's touch with reality. The accurately described scenes in Ali's training camp and Ali's frustration with having to train, the boredom that a prize fighter goes through while training are all aptly revealed . Ali's psyche has been explored as in no other book. The author has also given his own brilliant account of the country that the fight took place in, Zaire. This book also has many of those things that weren't concentrated upon in "When we were kings", like the fact that Ali didn't train as hard for this fight as most fighters do for a heavyweight championship but instead was banking on his clever tricks to secure victory for himself. After reading this book, the reader would like to watch "When we were kings" again to have a better understanding of the movie, as he or she would have a greater knowledge of the events and the persons involved in the drama. Norman's deep insight of the boxing world can be gauged from the thoughts he has when he is wathcing Muhmmad Ali celebrate after his victory, "In the privacy of his bathroom, doubtless he will wince and piss blood. That is the price after many a fight. It was his pride of course to show none of this." Unlike most other white writers of his time, Norman understands and feels what makes Ali tick. The reader is taken into the thought provoking world of Ali's attitude and reason-towards his people, his religion, his profession, his opponents and his friends. All in all, this book is for anybody who is a boxing fan or a Muhammad Ali fan.Book Review: This was definitely something.
Summary: 4 Stars
This was my first time reading Mailer, and I'd never really read something written with that kind of self-important style before, and I didn't even know what to expect going in. But I enjoyed the book quite a bit for what it was and what it wasn't.
The description of the fight was tremendous and Mailer's take on both fighters was so distinct and fantastic that you really felt as though you were there. There's something to be said for being able to persuade the reader toward the view of Foreman being the heavy favorite so long after the events have already been written in history.
Mailer writing himself in the third person seemed perfectly fine to fit in with the African religious themes he describes, and it just gives a flavor to the book that I didn't expect going in. Definitely recommended if you have an interest in classic American authors, combat sports, or feature-length in-person journalistic accounts.
Book Review: Two champions - one great book
Summary: 5 Stars
What more needs to be said. Norman Mailer, the champion of the written word teams with the champion of the ring...Could the outcome be anything short of magnificent?
Book Review: Vivid account of exciting fight and interesting man
Summary: 4 Stars
I think Mailer did an excellent job of making the characters (Ali, Foreman, George Plimpton...) come to life. And his commentary on the fight itself is also excellent. I do think, however, that Mailer's arrogance and machismo were a bit irritating at times; for instance, he repeatedly compares himself to Hemingway.Book Review: powerful writing transcends generation gap
Summary: 4 Stars
Picked up on a lark, I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened the book. Too young to appreciate the actual fight when it happened, I doubted if I would be able to get into the story. Powerful narrative quickly pulled me in. Ali's (and Mailer's) soulful journey captivated me and I was unable to let go of the story until long after I had finished reading. A book about the human spirit, Ali's personality is difficult not to love.