American Son: My Story

by Steve Springer and Oscar De La Hoya

Book Overview

From Oscar De La Hoya, one of the most celebrated fighters in the history of boxing, comes a frank and touching memoir about achieving the American Dream: his rise to the top, the power of a solid work ethic, his mother's painful death from cancer, the pitfalls of stardom, and a very personal take on what it means to be an American

The son of Mexican-born parents, Oscar "The Golden Boy" De La Hoya has had an astonishing career. From boxing...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061573108
• ISBN13: 9780061573101
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: It Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great book!: American Son, by Oscar De La Hoya

I've always been a fan of Oscar de La Hoya, but after reading this book I am an even bigger fan. I love stories about people getting ahead and making something great happen for them. Oscar shared his most personal childhood memories and family life with the readers in this book. I couldn't put it down! From details about his training, mistakes he made in his career and personal life, and rising to the occasion, WOW! 5 stars! I am looking forward to reading some of his other books now. Thank you Oscar for sharing your life with us. You are a compassionate, loving person, and an amazing fighter. I have the highest level of respect for you. Gracias. Jill K. Moratto

pretty good book, covers mostly his life outside the ring

Because I am a boxing fan, i bought and decided to read the story of Oscar De La Hoya. It's a very easy, very smooth going book, and Oscar covers everything from his childhood, the acceptance he always wanted from his father, the Gold Medal he won for his mother, the Trinidad fight, and his entrance into being a full time promoter. Most of the book covers behind the scenes stuff and i was pretty amazed at how open Oscar was, especially about his love life, and fathering several kids out of wedlock. Overall, it's a very solid book. He doesn't really get too much into detail about his actual boxing matches, like in this round this and in this round that, but he does cover the overall matches, including a whole chapter devoted to the Trinidad fight. He also writes about being upset with the fact that many fans, mostly Mexican people, how they always seemed to never include him as one of their own, even though he is Mexican-American. Oscar spoke about how in beating Julio Cesar Chavez two times, he felt the Mexican people would embrace him, or at least respect him, but he never really got that acceptance. What is also pretty amazing, and being an Oscar De La Hoya fan or not, is that he really has become a very powerful boxing promoter, taking on the likes of Bob Arum and the almighty Don King himself. As a hispanic myself, it's pretty inspiring that a kid from Los Angeles could someday be called one of boxing's top promters, let alone rival Don King. Overall, American Son is good. It's a very smooth read, very personal story about Oscar De La Hoya. You can tell that when he wrote this book, he really did it with no strings attached. good book.

Golden Story; Golden Boy

Oscar is one of the best boxers of our times or any time. He has accomplished so much in the sport. He had to go through some hard times to get where he is today. And thru it all he still manages to be a great human being. Some of the stories in the book will make you laugh, some will make you sad. Overall it will give a new appreciation of Oscar the boxer and Oscar the man. A story that is both compelling and touching.

Striking Gold, Outside The Squared-Circle

The autobiography on "The Golden Boy," who parlayed his pugilistic skills into successful business and philanthropic ventures outside the squared-circle, is an informative and inspiring story on chasing and capturing a slice of the American Dream. It works because Oscar De La Hoya is candid about every facet of his professional and business careers & personal life, while co-author Steve Springer - through his award-winning reporting in the Los Angeles Times - has literally watched the champ grow up in public. The legend truly comes to life through De La Hoya's own words and honesty. Though the final chapter in boxing will be "written" later this year, this is an outstanding look into a life that is just starting to get into a top gear.

Class act all the way!

Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Extensively details who Oscar is and where he (and his family) came from. A truly rags-to-riches story. You cannot help but like this young man. A brisk, intelligent read for everybody especially boxing fans and people of Mexican heritage. Excellent book!