Jim Brown: Last Man Standing

by Dave Zirin

A unique biography of Jim Brown--football legend, Hollywood star, and controversial activist--written by acclaimed sports journalist Dave Zirin.

Jim Brown is recognized as perhaps the greatest football player to ever live. But his phenomenal nine-year career with the Cleveland Browns is only part of his remarkable story, the opening salvo to a much more sprawling epic. Brown parlayed his athletic fame into stardom in Hollywood, where it was thought that he could become "the black John Wayne." He was an outspoken Black Power icon in the 1960s, and he formed Black Economic Unions to challenge racism in the business world. For this and for his decades of work as a truce negotiator with street gangs, Brown--along with such figures as Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, and Billie Jean King--is revered as a socially conscious athlete.

On the most hypermasculine cultural canvases of the United States--NFL football, the Black Power movement, Hollywood's blaxploitation films, gang intervention both inside and outside prison walls--Jim Brown has made his mark. Yet in the landscape of the most toxic expression of "what makes a man"--numerous accusations of violence against women--he has left a jagged mark as well.

Dave Zirin's book redefines an American icon, and not always in a flattering light. At eighty-one years old, Brown continues to speak out and look for fights. His recent public support of Donald Trump and criticism of Colin Kaepernick are just the latest examples of someone who seems restless if he is not in conflict. Jim Brown is a raw and thrilling account of Brown's remarkable life and a must-read for sports fans and students of the black freedom struggle.

Genres: Sports, Football, Biography, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Race, History

336 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2018

About the author

Named of the UTNE Reader’s “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Our World”, Dave Zirin writes about the politics of sports for the Nation Magazine. He is their first sports writer in 150 years of existence. Zirin is also the host of Sirius XM Radio’s popular weekly show, Edge of Sports Radio. He has been called “the best sportswriter in the United States,” by Robert Lipsyte. Dave Zirin is, in addition, a columnist for SLAM Magazine and the Progressive.
[from http://www.edgeofsports.com/bio.html]

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Slaughter's big, bad, black and bold
The brother has got a lot of soul
Don't you make him mean and cross
Cause then he'll show you who's the boss!"
- singer/songwriter Billy Preston

Athlete. Actor. Activist. Jim Brown wore quite a few hats throughout his storied careers. Whether it was setting football records during nine seasons (1957-65) as a Cleveland Browns running back, becoming a bankable action-movie star (the theme song to his 'Slaughter' flick is quoted above - quite the blurring of the actual man and fictional character with those lyrics) for a few years in the 70's, or founding, co-funding and directing the Amer-I-Can organization to broker truces between warring street gangs (to name just one issue) in the 80's, this is a man who has led a unique life.

However, there were certain things - like some problematic / possibly abusive relationships - that were not always so good, and author Zirin fairly covers the both successes and the questionable.

My only complaint was the occasional superficial feeling in both the NFL and Hollywood chapters. Weren't there more former teammates or co-stars willing to offer some good stories or anecdotes?

[Carol Storm · Rating 1 out of 5]

OUT OF BOUNDS by Jim Brown is ten times better than this piece of crap. Jim Brown tells his own story with a lot more frankness, intelligence, and humor. Of course he leaves out some the uglier moments in his personal life, (problems with women) but you can Google those if you want to.

Dave Zirin is what my father used to call a Parlor Pink. He wants to be a bad-ass revolutionary from the street, but without being jailed or beaten up or anything like that. So he does it second-hand, getting voyeuristic thrills by drooling over radical black athletes like Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali. Now this is pitiful, but it's nothing new. Rock critic Dave Marsh was doing it thirty years ago with Bruce Springsteen. And Eric Alterman is still doing it!

But sadly, times change. And in the era of the Me Too movement Dave Zirin is suddenly in the awkward position of having to trash Jim Brown as a pig who abuses women while still getting his regular fix of vicarious sexual thrills by describing Jim sticking it to the man, beating up white movie stars, etc. etc. etc. It all makes the book even more unreadable than it sounds.

You get almost no football analysis in this book. You don't get much honest analysis of race in America, either. What you do get is a spoiled, silly, privileged leftist punk pretending to be morally superior to his old idol while drooling over his most brutal exploits in the most infantile way imaginable.

Of course, Zirin does have a uniquely poetic style. "You're Jim Brown. You're the baddest cat in Hollywood. When white boys disrespect you, when they even look at you funny, you beat their faces in until they lie before you puking blood and whimpering for mercy." Self-loathing drives Zirin to idolize a black man who punishes weak and silly whites. But then, just to show he's hip, every few pages he stops the drool-fest and says, "but you know, it's wrong to hurt women. Jim Brown should really apologize!" Yes, he should. But he's not the only one!

Oh, special bonus: Sam Cooke was a sensational soul singer, and I love his music. He was gunned down under shady circumstances after a romantic rendezvous went wrong. But good old Dave has got Sam's back. (Sam and Dave, great name for a combo!) It turns out that the strong black woman who shot Sam dead (because, you know, he was running naked down the hall screaming that he was going to kill the young black woman he'd just taken to his room) was actually working for the CIA. Or the FBI. Or the Freemasons. Or something! Dave doesn't really get his facts straight, he just makes a few nasty insinuations about the victim and then mumbles some nonsense like, "Sam's family thinks he was framed." But like bad boy Charles Brandon used to say on THE TUDORS, "well, they would, wouldn't they?"

Personally, I think Jim Brown would have made a great Henry VIII. And Dave Zirin could play Sir Thomas More. ("Sire, all of England loves your big muscled body and your noble spirit! But must you throw your queen off the balcony every time some new piece catches your eye?" "Are you questioning my kingly manhood, fool?" "I must do my duty as a progressive journalist, sire!" "Then die!")

A Clown For All Seasons!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this one when I picked it up, since Brown is a complicated man and some of the review's of this one by Zirin weren't stellar. I thought it might be somewhat of just saying how awesome Jim Brown was. I think people who read this and thought that Zirin was just fanboying out about Jim Brown really read it lightly, because Zirin does not shy away from showing all layers of the kind of person Brown is, the ugly or complicated parts included. The book is split into long chapters on aspects of Jim Brown's life, from rural coastal Georgia to privileged CT and Syracuse, then through his playing days with the Cleveland Browns, then through his Hollywood acting, then through his work in promoting Black capitalism, then his work with gang members. He also has chapters on Brown beating women and does not hold back there. 

Finally, Brown is shown today as respecting the return to activism by pro athletes, but at the same time hobnobbing with Trump. That part isn't new, for the same guy who hung out with Huey Newton and Muhammad Ali also endorsed Nixon for President in '68. Jim Brown was an unstoppable athlete, a running back who single handedly won championships. He became a symbol of black nationalist masculinity, as he was explicitly outspoken and worked with Ali and Malcolm X. But, he also wanted to bring economic power and worked on building up black businesses. Brown always thought little of civil rights activism as being too symbolic and not enough meaningful groundwork. Eventually his attempts at creating black financial might and black film studios fall through, as much structural causes as it was Brown's micromanaging of this projects. His more successful and long term work is working with gangs throughout the country to broker peace, which I think is the highlight of the book, almost through a tough-but-listening attitude with young black men seems to reach through. Again, though, Zirin doesn't hold back when showing that heavy black masculine identity of Brown also means he often treats women as objects and quite often in his life physically abused them. Brown always dated young. 

At its heart, this book shows a very flawed individual who effected change but could not overcome some of his own personality flaws. You can sense the sadness of those contradictions of Jim Brown in Zirin's writing. Worth picking up.

[Olafimihan (Fimi) Oshin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dave Zirin did a fantastic job of writing this autobiography about Jim Brown, who to me was one of the most iconic sports figures in the last century. I learned so much about Brown from his upbringing in Georgia during the Jim Crow era him dealing with racism while he was attending Syracuse university as the team star running back, and also his NFL career, even though it was short, where he accomplished so much on the field and became a household name.

I also learned a lot about his life off the field with him becoming a movie star him also using initiatives to help his community such as creating a organization that focuses on game violence in the Los Angeles area, and also his relationships with women whom he infamously had multiple runs with the law because of that. Jim Brown is a iconic sports figure. He is polarizing complex and also sincere to himself. It’s been a year since he died, but I feel everyone should read this book because this book really touched on him being the man who he is and him standing on the moral that he created for himself as a athlete as a community activist and also as a human being.

[Jeffrey Bumiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Brown's story is in good hands with Dave Zirin. Brown is a controversial and complicated figure and Zirin does not shy away from any of that. It's really well done. Good stuff.

[Bryce Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An even handed, incisive biography marred by an inexplicably tone deaf, incurious chapter on Brown's time in Hollywood.

Zirin only focuses on Brown's bad films, ignoring both the likes of his early intriguing collaborations with Gene Hackman, as well as his latter day career as a character actor for the likes of Spike Lee and Tim Burton.

What's worse is he projects an air of general incuriousity and ignorance on films outside of Brown's career, such as when he laments the way that white directors molded the images of black actors in films, specifically citing Blacula and Avenging Disco Godfather. Two films that happen to have Black Directors.

Copy Editors may I suggest you do your fucking jobs??

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of Dave Zirin's writing. It's overblown and a weird combination of in-the-know writing for sports fans and let-me-explain-sports-to-you for non-fans. But in this book, he pulls it off quite well. His idea, like the obnoxiously titled, "How Soccer Explains the World" book by someone else, is to bring sports into the wider culture. I feel it leads to either overstatement, such as the aforementioned title, or superficial renderings that are believed only by people who don't follow sports and don't know any better.

But this book is quite good. Zirin writes flawlessly and with grace and knowledge about a very complex set of topics. He runs through the football career of Jim Brown, arguably the most famous football player ever (maybe Tom Brady?), but weaves in 1950s racial repression, the ensuing Civil Rights movement, the sex-and-drugs 1970s, gangland violence in the '80s and '90s, and Me Too of the last five years. Jim Brown has had a hand in all of it -- not always for the good. Zirin knows all of this so well because he's not just a sports writer, but a cultural reporter and historian, and this book really shows off how he has marshaled facts and nuances and can present it in an engaging and compact style.

The funny thing is I almost put it down after the first two sentences: "Football is the closest thing we have in this country to a national religion, albeit a religion built on a foundation of crippled apostles and disposable martyrs. In this brutal church, Jim Brown is the closest thing to a warrior saint."

Ugh. I thought I was getting Zirin's hyperbole about sports all over again, presented to non-sports people. First of all, the statement that it's like a national religion has been made by others for 50 years or more, so it's not like Zirin is making an important point. The second point is it's dead wrong anyway. Football is a big deal to football, but not to anyone else. It's a bubble, and Zirin is asking us to buy into the pretense that it has meaning beyond being a distraction. About 1% of football fans actually really care about the games, and then it's only their favorite team or teams. Nobody else runs their day or week around it -- football is just background noise, like classic rock. Huge swaths of Americans pay zero attention to football, and even if they are forced to be in its presence (ie., at a bar when a game is on), they stare at it as blankly as if it was the explanation of a mathematical theorum. Yes, football is important, but we don't need to exaggerate to make a point.
My other objection to Zirin's statement is that the history of religion, at least Christian religion, is crippled apostles and disposable martyrs. That's what they did -- they died for their cause. So Zirin should have said football is similar to religion, not contrasted it.

However, it's all uphill after that arresting, but dumb, opening. The book makes the case that Jim Brown, indeed, is the warrior saint. Through interviews with Brown about how he carried himself -- never showing pain or fear on the field or off -- and from opponents, teammates, and others around football, Zirin builds the myth of Brown. He shows that it really did have its roots in Brown's achievements, and he brings those back all the way to his first 6-7 years surrounded by women on a Georgia island where Blacks have lived for generations, and then the rude awakening to White America when he was sent to live with his mom, who cleaned houses for rich White people on Long Island. That exposure made Jim Brown what he was, an athletic star who received genuine support from Whites because of his talent, but who also realized that his life was going to be precarious in a White world.

Brown's response was to fight, to never give an inch. This was in high school, at Syracuse University (where he was the second Black player ever, and the first to last more than a season), to his NFL career that was one starring season after another. Along the way, Brown stood up for his rights "as a man," and for those of fellow Black players and players in general. Zirin gives dozens of examples, including how Brown stood up for players on safety, housing (black-white), and pay in the 1950s-1960s, way before salaries were big and the union protected players. This is really commendable stuff, and Zirin documents over and over how this ties to Brown's refusal to be seen as anything but "a man," a full man, an equal or superior to everyone else.

And then Brown, in perhaps his most defining move, walked away from football after nine years. He was still the best player in the game, but he was tired of having to fight for his rights, tired of being relied on to carry the ball so often, and worried he'd be prematurely crippled. Plus, he was building a movie career, and the team's owner wouldn't let him miss a few days of training camp to finish a film. Brown tried his brand of man-up economic empowerment in Hollywood, and Zirin details his various efforts, including a failed partnership with Richard Pryor that is fascinating.

Basically, in the 1960s and 70s, Jim Brown knew almost everyone, certainly everyone Black. He took stands with fellow stars like Bill Russell in support of Muhammed Ali, when Ali converted to Islam, and he made it very public that Black men didn't have to compromise with White society. Brown even flirted with the Nation of Islam, too, but the book makes it clear he wasn't going to give in to anyone's authority, even a Black religious leader. And Brown had no interest in the milder forms of protest, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., who he viewed as accommodationist and not focusing enough on economics. I think this is a misreading of King, and Zirin clearly feels this way, too, though he says it very politely.

Zirin next runs through Brown's undeniably great work to build economic empowerment and change the lives of young Black men by creating a program of self-esteem, behavior, anger management, etc. Zirin notes the irony of Brown not taking his own anger management class and having numerous run-ins in which he beat up people who angered him. But Brown really did make inroads in gangland areas in LA and elsewhere, going to places where law enforcement would go only with military gear. Brown would go in a t-shirt and shorts, and he'd listen to gang members, encourage them, give them hope, money, a chance at decent jobs. This is like National Medal of Honor-caliber stuff.

And then, in a final twist, Zirin comes to his last theme: Brown's penchant for violence, especially towards women. He's mentioned it throughout the book, using the current catchphrase of "toxic masculinity." Zirin claims -- in another overstatement -- that Brown basically invented the image of toxic masculinity with his play on the football field and his scandals with women, starting with accusations of rape and violence towards a teenage girl in Cleveland in the 1960s. That young Black woman lost her case against him in court, in a decision that is like thousands of other cases over the last century. It was he said-she said, and she was portrayed as a slutty young girl who liked rough sex and regretted it when she got pregnant. This type of treatment has caused countless young women to be afraid to come forward and confront abusers.

Brown skated on that charge and many others, and he apparently spent the '70s sleeping with teenage girls while he passed through his 40s. His wife had first approved of him sleeping around, which he'd warned her about before their marriage. But eventually she got tired of being beaten by him and his cheating, and she divorced him. No problem, as it added to Brown's legend of one woman after another. This was Hugh Hefner stuff, another of Brown's acquaintances. Zirin does a great job of giving a sense of what was going on -- including an indelible image of Brown having sex with a woman on his apartment floor while others watched, as in a real-life replay of popular porn movies of the time (the Black man as stud) -- but doesn't drop into prurient levels. Zirin gives just enough to let you imagine the rest.
Remarkably, the author unearths numerous accounts from mainstream media that nod approvingly at all of this. I probably read some of those accounts at the time, and I didn't think anything of it. Football players in clubs having sex with bunches of girls. That seemed cool, and while I knew it wasn't going to happen for me, I'd feel that was my loss rather than a world that shouldn't exist in the first place. I'd say the environment has changed, especially in the last 10 years. But that's not fully true. Look at online stuff. And mainstream media (not to mention the proliferation of other media) still covers sex as a conquest. If there's any form of progress, it might be the equal-access aspect of women doing some of the hunting.

Anyway, Zirin's point is well-taken. Brown beat up a lot of women, and he's never apologized or even acknowledged this truth. Even his current wife of 20-plus years was thrown off a balcony by him, though she refused to press charges. Zirin's point is that this deeply undercuts Brown's positive legacy, and he has blown his chance to really improve our culture by leaving his d*ck on display for all to see.

This is a great book. It's sociology, cultural history, biography, and sports. I feel I know a lot more about Jim Brown, both his achievements far greater than I knew and his flaws scarier, thanks to this book.

[Chuck Ledger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many biographies gloss over the tough issues, this one doesn't. For many years I have been a fan of the football player Jim Brown and had very mixed feelings about Jim Brown the man. After reading this book, I still do. For better or worse, Jim seemed to stay true to his beliefs.

[Heather Childree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important read for those interested in the history of black social activism as it tells Jim Brown’s layered story.

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: THOUGH TARNISHED… JIM BROWN… IS… ABOVE ALL ELSE… A MAN.
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Jim Brown… simply put… is the GREATEST FOOTBALL PLAYER OF ALL-TIME! Creating some cute little acronym like GOAT and trying to attach it to some other player who played in a 24/7 always televised… “wussied” down game… is an affront to football historians… and the game of football as it was meant to be played. Brown played nine years and led the league in rushing eight times. “He is the only player to average over one hundred yards per game over an entire career and the only running back to retire with an average of five yards every time he carried the ball.” Brown only played nine years and played in twelve game seasons. His records were only subsequently broken when seasons stretched out to sixteen game seasons… and players stayed in the league longer. Jim Brown… like the great Sandy Koufax walked out on top at a very young age.

Brown was unstoppable… even when you knew he was getting the ball… over… and… over… and over. And he wasn’t going around you… or over you… HE WAS GOING TO GO THROUGH YOU! “Detroit Lions tackle Alex Karras was asked how to stop Brown, he said, “Give each guy in the line an ax.” “Sam Huff, the Hall of Fame linebacker, commented “Nothing short of gang warfare is sure to stop Brown. All you can do is grab hold, hang on and wait for help.” One other thing about this “Indianapolis Racing Car-Merged-With-A-Sherman-Tank-disguised as an NFL player… HE NEVER MISSED A GAME IN NINE YEARS!

In the early part of this book… in my opinion… is where the author shows his greatest command of the English Language… where he creates blended poetry that combines power and grace… with a good sprinkling of absolute awe. Awe by the writer… opposing players… teammates… and me, And I watched Jim Brown when I was a child… and never forgot what I saw first-hand!

Unfortunately… for me… this is not a football book. It briefly… starts off as one… then quickly becomes (in my opinion)… a psychological… sociological… case study… of the greatest football player ever… after he played football. There have been two autobiographies by Brown in the past… I read “OUT OF BOUNDS” released in 1989… and it is quoted and referred to quite often in this book. The author obviously delves deeply into Brown’s work with gang members… and his Black Economic Union… and his Amer-I-Can… ventures… and OF COURSE… digs deeply into Brown’s troubled past with domestic abuse issues with women. It is laid out quite clearly Brown’s disdain for many athletes such as Kobe Bryant. (I feel rightfully so… as among other things when Brown attacks Kobe for his attempts to throw “SHAQ” under the sexual abuse bus… when Kobe was arrested for rape in Colorado.) The reader gets a real intimate look into the who’s and why regarding Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali’s historical stand against the United States Government… and the men Brown activated in the famous meeting with Ali. Among them a young Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Lou Alcindor)… and a man whom Brown probably respects above all Bill Russell… and strongly states that if Kobe were around then he never would have been even considered to have an invite.

In the midst of this heavily psychoanalyzed dissection of Brown… my half-a-century-old… memory is revived of actually reading an article in Playboy (see Mom… I told you there were articles) when Brown was interviewed… and the crux of his beliefs… which remains till this day… is he didn’t want handouts to black Americans… he wanted the ability and tools to compete. He always pitched economics as the key ingredient… and I give credit to the author being true to those facts as well.
Brown has always been strongly outspoken about athletes like Michael Jordan not giving back enough… and be willing to get his hands (and reputation) dirty in helping his people in the trenches. Brown now in his eighties… will still not come out and verbally atone publicly for the many acts of violence to women attributed to him… and his seemingly unwillingness to share any type of authority within the self-help organizations he helped build… even with loyal people who spent years and years by his side in the fight… is one of the reasons… he didn’t accomplish all he hoped he could… and the behind the scenes story of the friendship and splitting of ways with Richard Pryor… is interesting…

But just like his unstoppable… once in a lifetime… running style… where he physically would run through you… not over or around… seems to be the way… his entire life will finish up.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you admire a hero and disagree with him? How do you keep admiring him for his accomplishments when his flaws keep hurting others? These are the central themes of this nuanced biography of Jim Brown. Star athlete, leading man, fighter for the poor and incarcerated, macho man and abuser of women.

His politics feel complex but are simple: he is a classic conservative, interested in small government and personal wealth. He just also happens to be black and know that racism is a thing and isn't afraid to speak out about it. A darling of conservatives like Nixon when he spoke against integration, a hero to liberals when he fought mandatory minimum sentences. These aren't contradictions, in both cases he's against government enforcement, for freedom of the individual. I don't doubt there are libertarians looking to him as an example, too.

I dunno... it's hard for me, as a feminist and a staunch leftist, but I still admire the guy for what he did do for gang members, and for being a symbol of strength, exceptionalism, and of a Cleveland that won championships. The same unbending masculinity that makes him hard to deal with is how he achieved all the good things in his life.

It's not that heroes have dark sides... sometimes what makes a hero is dark. It is a compelling fact of human character that deserves critical analysis.

Now, on to the book instead of the picture it plaints of the man. In general I enjoyed the way Zirin introduces the context of the times in each chapter, and presents firsthand opinions that contradict each other to give us a nuanced and detailed take. I got angry, though, when the Hough Riots were presented uncritically as white media slanted it at the time. The stories I've gotten, from people who lived there, and from the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, reject the stale narrative that black people were violent and white people acted out of 'fear'. Fear of not being dominant, maybe. I... I'm going to launch my own rant... anyway... he coulda put more research into that, but it wasn't the focus of the book, just a hot button issue for me.

Each chapter begins with a second person section inviting the reader to enter the mindset of a prominent figure in Jim Brown's story. For the most part this is a delightful exercise, but I am never going to forgive this man for making me read the words "You are Art Modell."

[Gregory Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a Jim Brown "fan" or even that of his team. I am a Dave Zirin and sports history fan. When I picked up the book, I figured it would pull no punches. I was right.

The beginning was a bit more romantic than I anticipated. It discussed Brown's legacy on the field; a man's man. He was a consummate incredible athelete, a generational talent. It was great reading snippets about plays that I have seen on highlight reels over the years. The middle section of the book talks about Brown's legacy as a civil rights advocate (of a sort). He was always outside of the stereotypical narrative. He worked a bit with the Black Panthers and ran his own program to help mitigate gang violence. That was all really interesting and not the type of thing that often makes it into typical sports biographies. Yet the ending was the hardest part to read, connecting with Brown's violence against women and the influence that had on his lasting legacy. The "gladiatorial" violence of the gridiron and the obsessive need to be respected "as a man" seems to be the overall theme of Brown's life and will shape his historical legacy.

I admire Zirin's ability to tackle the hard issues here. There's an overt political edge to his writing that will not sit well with traditional biography readers. That said, I was already in Zirin's "corner" before reading the book. I found Brown's character to be more dangerous than admirable. Unlike others from his era - Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, or even Muhammad Ali - the heroic stances the Brown took seemed to be genuine (especially to stop gang violence), but did not overshadow his own persona. That's not a dig at Brown or Zirin for that matter... it's just the reality that Brown never really moved past his "larger than life" obsession.

[Adam Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zirin provides a captivating picture of the complex man, Jim Brown, whose complicated legacy stands at the intersection of many of today's most challenging social issues. Zirin tells Brown's story in such a way of navigating his early career and subsequent post-football endeavors, before really delving into the complexity brought about by Brown's history of domestic violence and sexual abuse allegations. Zirin doesn't shy away from the darker side of Brown's story, but delicately balances the many, contemporary sensitivies and progress that deserve/demand a reinterpretation. found his telling both riveting and conflicting - in general, it was difficulet to know just how to feel about Jim Brown. And that's kind of the point.

Certainly, more will be written about Jim Brown as time passes, and his story serves as a prime example of celebrity lives that embody entwined moments of both awe and cringe. What are we to do with the legacies of those celebrities whose on-the-field, on-the-screen, on-the-radio productions and achievements are unmatched (Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, OJ Simpson, Harvey Weinstein . . . the list continues to grow)? This seems to be the question for this time in history, and Zirin's biography of Jim Brown provides a helpful attempt not just of analyzing his life, but also provides some important insight into how to answer this larger and pressing question.

[Ramiro Guerra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best book written by my boy Dave Zirin. I almost feel bad leaving 3 Stars because I read through it so quickly (for my standards) but it just didn’t have the mind-blowing prose I’m used to from Mr. Zirin.

IT WAS, however, a pretty fair presentation of an American sport legend, civil rights titan and.....serial woman beater.

Dave pulls from good sources, even Brown’s own bios, to paint a picture of a complicated man who grew up poor in segregated America, and became the first transcendent American football star.

Despite his legendary status as both a civil rights icon and hall of famer, Jim Brown has never really been someone I looked up to as a role model.

When he came out in support of Donald Trump, I was probably 80% not surprised/20% disappointed, given the amount of toxic masculinity this man lives with. A certain disdain for women seems to be the common thread amongst folks who are fond of the current commander in Chief...but I digress.

Still, he’s an important figure, and examining how he’s loved his life is a task worth some effort, especially if you’re an American football fan or have an interest in civil rights history.

[Meg]

#bookclub4m nonfiction entertainment genre

My god that was a tough read in spots. I picked this up because I thought "sports star to actor? Sure that sounds like the entertainment industry" but of course with a Black man during a tumultuous time in the United States, ongoing protests going on right now, and the history of domestic abuse and rage in a time of #metoo this all feels very current.

Brown was a hard man with a hardline on life. Zirin pulls out the complicated interaction of toxic masculinity, civil rights, and the history of the United States in a really engaging way. How do you deal with a person who forces introspection in gang members to lead them out of crime but refuses to admit to his own flaws? Complains that Black althetes don't do enough to lift up their communities and then disparages political protest like kneeling during the anthem? Supports Trump because the man promises support for Black business? In any case, the reader comes out with a real appreciation for how much difference there was and is as to the conversation around the best way to bring equality to Black communities in the United States.

[Greg Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Brown Hailed has the Greatest football player ever and the same realms as Jim Thorpe or Muhammad Ali aka Cassious Clay as the greatest athletes. Controversy comes to head with Jim Brown non comital to Nation of Islam rather pursue acting in Hollywood. Altho Jim was skeptical of Nation of Islam Jim's help with Black struggle was focused with economic plan to help and rehabilitate black community of gang violence. Jim's capitol adventure dealing with systemic institutions by securing government grants to employ thousands withing black community with emolument for better life. When you follow Jim Brown formative years deals with non loving nurturing parents but rather by white indoctrination with second family and college he attended you see the conflict already bubbling. Jim Brown life is hard look at Toxic Male patriarchy even in the face of American racism in a hyper masculine Culture of mid twentieth Century.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't until I watched the film, One Night in Miami, that I became aware of Jim Brown's activism. Zirin's book examines Brown through the lens of our racist, classist, and sexist society. He portrays Brown as a man committed to helping poor African Americans, particularly young Black men involved with the CJ system, get their own piece of the capitalistic pie. I found myself questioning Brown's strategy and some of his allies, but not his decades-long work.

Zirin also confronts the problems with Brown's definition of manhood and how this condoned violence against women. Again, our society played a huge part in condoning domestic violence, battering, sexual abuse - it still does.

This book portrays a complex man in a balanced and nuanced way. It's not a feel-good journey, but one that makes you more aware of how difficult it is to eliminate oppression in all of its guises.

[Hezekiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is probably the most accurate representation of Jim Brown as a man, player, and organizer that I have read. He is a complex man who marched to the beat of his own drum and was flawed. Despite the controversies and noise around his life, he only wanted to help others and improve the black race. He stands only on his morals and for that I can respect him even if the noise about his past looms large. this is a must read for any football fan.

[Rob Rains · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a fair, even-handed account of football giant and activist Jim Brown. His career is compartmentalized by chapter and the last chapters address his ease into old age and his controversial history with young women. Fans of Brown, the Cleveland Browns or even of activism will find a fair bit to satiate them. The book is a breezy read, despite its heady subject, and offers some useful commentary.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Jim Brown was an amazing athlete and a controversial figure regarding politics, women and civil rights. This is a very honest account on Brown’s life and it does not disappoint. One cool thing I learned - Jim Brown was the first player who acted as his own NFL agent. Highly recommend.

[Joe Seliske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does not dwell on Jim Brown's NFL career. It describes his lifetime of humanitarian work with gangs and young people. I did not know that he spent most of his life helping criminals, gang leaders and other disadvantaged African-Americans. It touches on his activity with women and describes that he was never convicted of violence against a woman. Good read.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I'm from NE Ohio so he is an icon, but the book goes far beyond football into a very interesting life. A good history book covering sports, movies, gangs, celebrity, racism and sexism. A complex man.

[Linh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I knew nothing about Jim Brown. I didn't even know about his existence, but I also happen to be someone interested in the intersection of sports and politics, as explained by Dave Zirin. I left this book with both a better understanding of Brown and the NFL, alongside the civil rights movement in the US and how toxic masculinity plays out in another sphere.

[Mhaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of my favorite biographies, achieving what the best biographies and documentaries do: transcending the boundaries of its subject and becoming about society at large and our place within it.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting read about a very complicated individual.

[Brian Bergen-Aurand · Rating 2 out of 5]

The question remains whether Jim Brown danced when he appeared on CNN for Donald Trump. Zirin leaves us with that question, even if he doesn't ask it in so many words.

[Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only made it about half way through the book and got bored. I guess it is also that I don't care about the NFL anymore.

[Phil Hardin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is not much about his football career written. There is too much “off the field”.

[Sonia Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conscience Black radical femiminism reckoning with our struggles to stop lynching atrocities inflicted on Black Women's lives. Grateful.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkably nuanced, thoughtful book about a tremendously accomplished, tremendously complicated figure. Whatever Zirin writes is a must-read for the thinking sports fan.