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The Prizefighter and the Playwright: Gene Tunney and George Bernard Shaw
The curious story of the unlikely relationship between a champion boxer and a celebrated man of letters Gene Tunney, the world heavyweight-boxing champion from 1926 to 1928, seemed an unusual companion for George Bernard Shaw, but Shaw, a world-famous playwright, found the Irish-American athlete to be "among the very few for whom I have established a warm affection " The Prizefighter and the Playwright chronicles the legendary -- but rarely documented -- relationship that formed between this celebrated odd couple From the beginning, it seemed a strange relationship, as Tunney was 40 years younger and the men could not have occupied more different worlds Yet it is clear that these two famous men, comfortable on the world stage, longed for friendship when they were out of the celebrity spotlight Full of surprises and revelations about Shaw and Tunney, this handsome book is also a fascinating look at their times Author Jay R Tunney is the son of the famous fighter, and his book is a beautifully woven and often surprising biography of the two men The book evolved from the acclaimed BBC radio program The Master and the Boy Fans of George Bernard Shaw will enjoy the little-known stories in this intensely personal account that includes never-before-published images from Tunney's own family collection
288 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 4, 2018
I was drawn to this book by extraordinary juxtaposition of two seemingly disparate types, the American boxer and the Irish man of letters. I was not expecting to find such a superbly written piece of work nor to be as moved by experiencing through that writing the friendship of these two deeply intelligent, expressive, and thoughtful men. Jay R. Tunney, the son of heavyweight champion Gene Tunney, not only describes his father's unexpected literate nature and eloquent manner of expression, but seems to have channeled both men of his topic in their ability to draw poetry from language. This is a wonderfully well-written book, and I came away with a new knowledge of the prizefighter and a greatly changed understanding of the playwright. In these days when intelligence and elegance of thought seem to be the clarion call for ridicule and dismissal, it is grandly rewarding to read of two men, from wildly different backgrounds, who found a common bond in the written word and lived, each of them, for the purpose of loving it, expressing it, and championing it. That boxing is at the center of their relationship makes the story the more remarkable, and it also provides for real thrills in the telling. This is a thoughtful, rich, and wonderfully pleasurable book, made more so by the unusual (for today) focus on the treasures of friendship.
October 28, 2012
This is a fascinating book about boxing, fame, friendship, prayer, the power of faith and art. I came away with a respect for the sport of boxing that is brand new, and an affection for G.B.S. that I never expected to find, since I've always enjoyed Shaw's work but been turned off by his persona. Well written and full of humanity with a good love story thrown in -- I wish I'd read it when it first came out!
March 17, 2021
a Beautiful and respectably writer book about an Irishman who raised himself up from poverty through boxing and reading and friendship readinoip
I liked the smooth writing which propelled the reader forward I the story thru unexpected and dramatic moments while respectively treating the individual involved.
I liked the smooth writing which propelled the reader forward I the story thru unexpected and dramatic moments while respectively treating the individual involved.
June 10, 2023
George Bernard Shaw and Gene Tunney. Felt as if I knew them. Feel as if I know them. GBS is one i would like to pursue further.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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