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Max Schmeling: An Autobiography
Max Schmeling is the only living man who has had lengthy conversations with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Pope Pius XII, Adolf Hitler, and Marlene Dietrich. World Heavyweight Champion from 1930 to 1932, Schmeling's riveting autobiography is finally made available in English translation after years as a best seller in Germany.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
313 pages, Hardcover
First published August 31, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 7, 2017
Black Uhlan with the Heart of Gold
It's rare, but occasionally a boxing match transcends its appeal to fans of a sport and becomes something much larger. Ali-Frazier was one such rivalry, but there is really only one "Fight of the Century" and that is the second match that took place between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling.
This book looks at the life of the latter of those two men, and it is a treasure. Schmeling takes the reader alongside him as he reminisces about his own progress through some of the most historic moments in humanity's "bloodiest century." Max Schmeling was born of humble origins, but picked up a love of boxing as well as a discipline that saw him in good stead and allowed him to earn world-renown as a pugilist. As he climbed in the ranks, he eventually got his shot at the "Brown Bomber," the most feared boxer of his era (or perhaps any time), Joe Louis. Few gave Schmeling a sporting chance, but the German religiously studied film of his opponent (he was a tape junkie before there was tape), and implemented his plan in the ring, pulling off a massive upset victory.
Schmeling returned to a tumultuous Germany after his victory, refusing to join the Nazi party or to allow himself to be used as a prop for Aryan propaganda, turning down awards and various sinecures from Goebbels and Hitler, while refusing to abandon his friends whom the regime classified as degenerate, or to break ties with his long-time manager who happened to be Jewish. The fighter paid a high price for his integrity, but he never wavered in his commitment to friends or allowed the ugliness or terror around him to consume him.
This is, simply put, one of the best biographies I've ever read, about a boxer or otherwise. It is written in clear, honest language and serves as a wonderful historical document and testament to one man's refusal to let his destiny be altered one whit by the schemes of madmen who plunged his country and the world into flames. There are ample photos and I'm at a loss to describe one thing I didn't love about this book or reading of the author's journey, wherein he met everyone from the Pope in the Vatican to Al Capone's mob in Cicero, Illinois. Highest recommendation
It's rare, but occasionally a boxing match transcends its appeal to fans of a sport and becomes something much larger. Ali-Frazier was one such rivalry, but there is really only one "Fight of the Century" and that is the second match that took place between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling.
This book looks at the life of the latter of those two men, and it is a treasure. Schmeling takes the reader alongside him as he reminisces about his own progress through some of the most historic moments in humanity's "bloodiest century." Max Schmeling was born of humble origins, but picked up a love of boxing as well as a discipline that saw him in good stead and allowed him to earn world-renown as a pugilist. As he climbed in the ranks, he eventually got his shot at the "Brown Bomber," the most feared boxer of his era (or perhaps any time), Joe Louis. Few gave Schmeling a sporting chance, but the German religiously studied film of his opponent (he was a tape junkie before there was tape), and implemented his plan in the ring, pulling off a massive upset victory.
Schmeling returned to a tumultuous Germany after his victory, refusing to join the Nazi party or to allow himself to be used as a prop for Aryan propaganda, turning down awards and various sinecures from Goebbels and Hitler, while refusing to abandon his friends whom the regime classified as degenerate, or to break ties with his long-time manager who happened to be Jewish. The fighter paid a high price for his integrity, but he never wavered in his commitment to friends or allowed the ugliness or terror around him to consume him.
This is, simply put, one of the best biographies I've ever read, about a boxer or otherwise. It is written in clear, honest language and serves as a wonderful historical document and testament to one man's refusal to let his destiny be altered one whit by the schemes of madmen who plunged his country and the world into flames. There are ample photos and I'm at a loss to describe one thing I didn't love about this book or reading of the author's journey, wherein he met everyone from the Pope in the Vatican to Al Capone's mob in Cicero, Illinois. Highest recommendation
December 8, 2013
Best boxing autobiography I have ever read.
This is a man caught between two worlds at war, whilst maintaining a solid boxing record and even defeating Joe Louis in the process. Great read.
This is a man caught between two worlds at war, whilst maintaining a solid boxing record and even defeating Joe Louis in the process. Great read.
August 22, 2023
One of the best memoirs I have ever read.
August 21, 2008
One of the best sports books I've ever read. It's also a fascinating look at Berlin in the 20's and 30's. His description of his first fight with Joe Lewis is riveting.
December 17, 2016
Although it took me a very long time to wrap up this autobiography, I greatly enjoyed this autobiography. A must for all boxing history buffs.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews