DEMPSEY

by Jack Dempsey

Vintage Paperback

Genres: Biography, Autobiography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Alessandra Slavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about a great warrior

I have always like Dempsey and there’s even a local restaurant that my family and I love that shares the same name. There is so much history in these pages that I hope they will live forever. Please do yourself a favor and read this.

[Wayne Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love old timers and hearing about old times and this is a fun read. Tough as nails as you'd expect, all of the old time boxers must have been real characters by today's standards. Different times.

One example. Jack Dempsey figured he started "training" to be heavyweight champion when he was 11 years old. He was basically a vagrant for most of his youth, and starting around the age 16 one of the ways he'd feed himself was to walk into a bar, penniless, 16 years old and scrawny (weighing 130lbs) and declare in his girlish high-pitched voice "I can lick any man in this joint... for a buck." And he'd usually get action, by grown men, and he'd win most the time. That'd be enough for a square meal or two (and/or a broken nose) and he viewed it as training. If that happened today it'd make the news. 100 years ago it was just normal stuff that happened in a bar. Awesome.

[Steve Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, I've read lots about old time boxers from John L Sullivan up to the 50's and as far as Sonny Liston over many many years and they make great reading. They were a diferent breed to the sugar coated millionaires who fight once every year or two today . Boxings a tough sport no doubt but these old timers had a tough life many of us would struggle with today. Jack Dempsey was a fighter and hobo barely having enough to eat most days, I read The Cinderella Man before this and while I knew the story it still makes you think what amazing people they were. This was different in it was Jacks story written in the first person, for a tough man he was extremely sensitive and at times I felt a soft touch almost gullible. Fancy being heavyweight champion weighing 190lbs (13-14 stone). I didn't realise his falling out with Doc Kearns though but Kearns in the end was fairly typically in it for the money. If you've studied this stuff there's nothing new in this book but a great enjoyable read.

[James Koenig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack Dempsey was the heavyweight boxing champion from 1919-1926, and was as well-known and celebrated as Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh. He led such an exciting life that I was compelled as a fan of boxing and boxers to read his life account in his own words.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t as compelling as i expected (thus 3 stars instead of 5). While I learned quite a bit about Dempsey’s tumultuous life, I expected to read more about his thoughts and interactions with other champion boxers, such as Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston, and Muhammad Ali. Dempsey hardly gives these famous champions a mention, which I found curious and rather disappointing. I believe the book would have been much more compelling had Dempsey commented on these champions and his interactions with them.

Jack Dempsey was a legend. Unfortunately, this book, despite being Dempsey’s own words (written by his daughter-in-law), does not live up to the legend.

[Ian Curragh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

An open account of the life and boxing career of one of the best boxers ever. A no holds barred account of the life of Jack Dempsey. A worthwhile read for any boxing fan

[TheManOnTheMoon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just about the most boring book I have ever read in my life. The stories would be fun if they were punched up a little with some suspense and pizazz but man this guy was SO boring. Champion of the world, fantastically interesting life, suuuuuper boring book. Sorry Jack.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Dempsey was an incredible man,hard working never quit type of guy.I couldn't put this book down, I'll look to learn more about this great champion and great man.

[Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very rare. To find a book. Written by a legendary Heavyweight Champion Boxer. The struggles to become a professional boxer.

[Craig Schlossin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dempsey point of view on his fight career.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighter through and through. Courage to write this kind of book.

[P.J. Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book, unbelievable story, about a Depression era kid who grew up to be one of the world's greatest boxers. Dempsey was so poor he would walk into a bar in a strange town and offer to fight for a ham sandwich. He didn't jump boxcars, he "rode the rails" by wedging himself under the boxcars for fear of being thrown to his death by railroad bulls.

He learned to box young, and had hundreds of fights, often against much bigger opponents who would take his bet because it seemed like such a mismatch. It's tragic so few people have read this book.

[Robby Creed · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half was a pretty interesting look at the life of a early 20th century boxer from no name prizefighter to world champion fighting in front of record setting crowds. Dempsey comes off as a pretty level headed guy with a great memory. Unfortunately he spends the second half recounting his post retirement life as a celebrity steakhouse owner and divorcee.

[Stephan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Learned a lot about his career.