Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times (Sport and Society)

By Russell Sullivan

Book Overview

Spirited, fast-paced, and rich in detail, Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times is the first book to tell the full story of the man, his sport, and his era.Emerging from obscurity to win the heavyweight crown in the early 1950s, Marciano fought until 1955, retiring with a perfect 49-0 record--a feat still unmatched today. Yet as much as he embodied the wholesome, rags-to-riches patriotism of a true American hero, Marciano also reflected the racial and ethnic tensions festering beneath the country's benevolent facade. In this captivating portrait of a complex American sports legend, Russell Sullivan confirms Rocky Marciano's place as a symbol and cultural icon of his era.Russell Sullivan lives in the Boston area and is senior vice president and general counsel of Linkage, Inc., a corporate education company headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of several books and articles on business-related topics.A volume in the series Sport and Society, edited by Benjamin G. Rader and Randy Roberts

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0252027639
• ISBN13: 9780252027635
• Release Date: August 2002
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.3" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

"And In This Corner......................................

"Rocky Marciano The rock of His Times" by Russell Sullivan is a masterpiece of Sports Biography. Russell Sullivan "dosn't pull any punches " in this explosive story of a simple-man trying to make a "simple-living" in a very complex barbaric industry! Sullivan knows his subject from all sides of the ring... and out. Not only does he know boxing, he knows the human spirit that envelopes it. This is a real "page-turner" and there is a wallop in every chapter! From Carmine Vingo to Roland LaStanza, and on to Archie Moore, the bell just keeps on ringing! It's not just a story about boxing; it's a real tale about a contemporary "Lancelot" fighting his dragons from every direction. "Marciano came to symbolize early-1950's simplicity. He was indeed, the rock of his times." (p.305) Russell Sullivan does a superb job of bringing back those restless spirits at Madson Square Garden. "And in this corner, from Holyoke, Massachusetts: R O C K Y ...........M A R C I A N O...........!!!!!!" If, you haven't found a good book to read in a long time, don't "throw in the towel" just yet! Buy this book, it's a great read.

He never lost a single one of his 49 heavyweight bouts

Rocky Marciano: The Rock Of His Times by biographer Russell Sullivan, is an insightful and deftly written biographical story of a legendary figure in twentieth-century boxing. The invincible Rocky Marciano, a second-generation Italian-American active in a sport dominated by African-Americans, never lost a single one of his 49 heavyweight bouts up to when he quit the ring in 1956. An in-close study of the man's life which includes his flaws as well as his virtues, Rocky Marciano: The Rock Of His Times is a thoroughly researched, accessibly written, and highly recommended addition to community library Biography and American Sports History collections, and a "must read" for anyone who ever thrilled to a Marciano heavyweight bout.

A Great Read

Rocky's record has long been questioned by boxing enthusiasts, fans and experts. To this day it seems, Rocky continues to fight for respect--it is almost tangible in Sullivan's book. Sullivan's account of Marciano goes well beyond the ring and it was a great read for anyone--sports fan or not.

The definitve biography of Rocky Marciano

This is the definitive biography of one of the great sports heroes of the twentieth century. Perhaps it took a business writer, rather than a sportswriter, to give us an objective, detailed account of this great athlete. I for one am 100% in favor of the recent trend toward serious biographies of sports figures, rather than the "rah-rah" tradition of vacuous cheerleading and legend-mongering than has too often comprised sports biographies in the past.

Buy this one--it's great

This book is a page-turner. It's about so much more than Rocky Marciano. It's about America in the 50s, life as an Italian American and the seamy side of big-time boxing. It's a trip back to a different era and a thoroughly enjoyable read.