Counterpunch
The Cultural Battles Over Heavyweight Prizefighting in the American West
Will be published approx. on 19. October 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-0-295-74432-2 (ISBN)
Description
Boxing was popular in the American West long before Las Vegas became its epicenter. However, not everyone in the region was a fan. Counterpunch examines how the sport's meteoric rise in popularity in the West ran concurrently with a growing backlash among Progressive Era social reformers who saw boxing as barbaric. These tensions created a morality war that pitted state officials against city leaders, boxing promoters against social reformers, and fans against religious groups. Historian Meg Frisbee focuses on several legendary heavyweight prizefights of the period and the protests they inspired to explain why western geography, economy, and culture ultimately helped the sport's supporters defeat its detractors.
A fascinating look at early American boxing, Counterpunch showcases fighters such as "Gentleman" Jim Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, and Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champ, and it provides an entertaining way to understand both the growth of the American West and the history of this popular-and controversial-sport.
A fascinating look at early American boxing, Counterpunch showcases fighters such as "Gentleman" Jim Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, and Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champ, and it provides an entertaining way to understand both the growth of the American West and the history of this popular-and controversial-sport.
Reviews / Votes
"Frisbee has written a lively and engaging book about boxing in the American West, with a particular focus on the turn-of-the-century Progressive Era. . . . Counterpunch is a finely researched, nuanced, and well-written study that deserves a wide readership among historians of sports, the West, and Progressive Era America."- Brian M. Ingrassia (Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains) "A compelling read beyond the narratives of early American heavyweight prizefighters. . . . Entertaining and engaging. . . . Boxing fans will undoubtedly enjoy this piece of sport history, but sociologists and sport historians in general might also find the author's descriptions of the social, symbolic and political conflicts over heavyweight prizefighting in American compelling."
- Anne Tjonndal (idrottsforum.org) "A compelling book that uses prizefighting as a lens to examine political battles between white men, their concerns about manhood, and the need for progressive reform in the West. . . . Frisbee's ability to describe the events will entertain boxing enthusiasts."
- Louis Moore (Pacific Northwest Quarterly) "In this sprightly, well-researched book, Frisbee examines the political battles over prizefighting in the West. . . Frisbee demonstrates that the most important matches of the time took place outside the ring in courtrooms and legislative chambers, where Westerners battled for the region's future. At stake were differing versions of morality, economic freedom, and social liberty. Highly recommended. All readers."
(Choice)
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Seattle
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
23 b&w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 221 mm
Width: 142 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
340 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-295-74432-2 (9780295744322)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Meg Frisbee is assistant professor of history at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Content
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The "Slogging" Craze in San Francisco
2. The "Daring" Conservatives
3. Borderline
4. Nevada's Gamble
5. Paradise Lost
6. Prizefighting Is Not a Crime
Conclusion
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The "Slogging" Craze in San Francisco
2. The "Daring" Conservatives
3. Borderline
4. Nevada's Gamble
5. Paradise Lost
6. Prizefighting Is Not a Crime
Conclusion
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index