A Man's World: The Double Life of Emile Griffith
By Donald McRae
5/5
()
Unavailable in your country
Unavailable in your country
About this ebook
'I kill a man and most people forgive me. However, I love a man and many say this makes me an evil person.'
On 24 March 1962, when Emile Griffith stepped into the ring in Madison Square Garden to defend his world title against Benny Paret, he was filled with rage. During their weigh-in, the Cuban challenger had denounced Griffith as a 'faggot' and minced towards him. In the macho world of boxing, where fighters know they are engaged in the hurt game, there could be no greater insult. At that time, it was illegal for people of the same gender to have sex, or even for a bar to knowingly serve a drink to a gay person. It was an insinuation that could have had dangerous consequences for Griffith - especially as it was true.
In the fight that followed, Griffith pounded Paret into unconsciousness, and the Cuban would die soon after, leaving Griffith haunted by what he had done. Despite this, he went on to fight more world championship rounds than any other fighter in history in a career that lasted for almost 20 years.
In A Man's World, Donald McRae weaves a compelling tale of triumph over prejudice in a classic piece of sports writing.
Donald McRae
Donald McRae is the award-winning author of eleven non-fiction books, which have featured sporting icons, legendary trial lawyers and heart surgeons. He has twice won the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year, for Dark Trade and In Black & White. He is a three-time Interviewer of the Year winner and has also won Sports Feature Writer of the Year on three separate occasions for his work in the Guardian. He lives in Hertfordshire.
Read more from Donald Mc Rae
The Great Trials of Clarence Darrow: The Landmark Cases of Leopold and Loeb, John T. Scopes, and Ossian Sweet Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWinter Colours: Changing Seasons in World Rugby Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Adventures of a Dyslexic Plumber Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to A Man's World
Related ebooks
Come Out Smokin': Joe Frazier: The Champ Nobody Knew Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGatekeeper: The Fighting Life of Gary “Big Daddy” Goodridge Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Al Bernstein: 30 Years, 30 Undeniable Truths About Boxing, Sports, and TV Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmokin’ Joe: The Autobiography of a Heavyweight Champion of the World, Smokin’ Joe Frazier Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy View from the Corner: A Life in Boxing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bloody Revolution A Journey into UK MMA Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAtlas: From the Streets to the Ring: A Son's Struggle to Become a Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Standing Tall: The Tawera Nikau Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Titus O’Reily’s 2014 AFL Season Almanac: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the AFL Premiership Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in a Crooked World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Dirtiest Race in History: Ben Johnson, Carl Lewis and the 1988 Olympic 100m Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Sweet Science Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Son: The Life of Ray ',Boom Boom', Mancini Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Randy Couture: The Mixed Martial Art Legend Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHoop Dreams Down Under Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhy Men are Necessary and More News From Nowhere Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Beware of the Dog: Rugby's Hard Man Reveals All Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Whitechapel Whirlwind: The Jack Kid Berg Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChuvalo: A Fighter's Life: The Story of Boxing's Last Gladiator Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Darklight Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings50 Years At Ringside Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The A to Z Olympics: 26 Torch-Worthy Tales & Tidbits Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI Am the Voice Left from Drinking Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWingin' It: The Mark Walters Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLong Walk Home: Reflections on Bruce Springsteen Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My View from the Corner Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Young Winstone Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SUPER-TRAMP: The life of William Henry Davies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dynasty: The San Antonio Spurs' Timeless 2014 Championship Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHomo Odyssey: Adventures of a World Traveler Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Sports & Recreation For You
Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding: The Bible of Bodybuilding, Fully Updated and Revis Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How Am I Doing?: 40 Conversations to Have with Yourself Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Body by Science: A Research Based Program to Get the Results You Want in 12 Minutes a Week Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Advanced Bushcraft: An Expert Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Arthur: The Dog who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ultimate BodyWeight Workout: Transform Your Body Using Your Own Body Weight Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Art of Pickleball: Techniques and Strategies for Everyone Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis--Lessons from a Master Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIt Takes What It Takes: How to Think Neutrally and Gain Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pocket Guide to Essential Knots: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Most Important Knots for Everyone Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Guide to Improvised Weaponry: How to Protect Yourself with WHATEVER You've Got Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anatomy of Strength and Conditioning: A Trainer's Guide to Building Strength and Stamina Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Strength Training for Women: Training Programs, Food, and Motivation for a Stronger, More Beautiful Body Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide: Emergency Preparedness for ANY Disaster Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fishing for Dummies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Peak: The New Science of Athletic Performance That is Revolutionizing Sports Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Most Beautiful Thing: The True Story of America's First All-Black High School Rowing Team Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Baseball 100 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Take Your Eye Off the Ball 2.0: How to Watch Football by Knowing Where to Look Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for A Man's World
2 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Man’s World – A Brilliant BiographyFans of sports writing will be well aware of the excellent and Sports Award Winner, Donald McRae, who researches and writes some of the best, books in sport. McRae in particular is an excellent writer where boxing is concerned and never afraid to tackle issues head on, and once again in A Man’s World McRae does this majestically.A Man’s World is an excellent examination of the double life of Boxing World Champion, Emile Griffith, a champion at both Welterweight and Middleweights. He won more fights than Ali, but is only remembered for one fight in particular, his third encounter with the Cuban Benny Paret, who died ten days after being beaten by Griffith.Emile was unusual for a boxer he liked ladies fashion, and enjoyed making ladies hats, far more than he enjoyed boxing. Boxing and society in the 1960s was virulently macho, male and heterosexual, vicious and dangerous. Not fitting in to one of the stereotypes was not accepted, being gay at the time was unheard of, and those that were, were mocked and avoided.Emile Griffith’s personal life is interesting in that it was ultimately very complex; he had to lead a double life, his complex attitudes and ultimately his sexuality. It must be remembered that he came to boxing late and was found by his employer while Griffith was employed making ladies hats. It was noticed that he had the frame of a boxer and was taken to Gil Clancy’s gym; the rest as they say is history.Gil Clancy took Griffith from hat maker to an all out World Boxing Champion; he would take on all comers and win in the main. McRae examines the double life, the sexuality and private life, with delicacy but does not hold back on what is written. McRae deals with all the issues with respect, compassion and the dignity Griffith was denied when boxing. When Griffith went to the weigh-in on the morning of the fight, seven months after he lost his title to Paret, he was taunted by Paret. Paret paid Griffith the ultimate insult at the weigh-in when he called him a “faggot” such taunts did not bode well. Boxing insiders of the time already knew that there was something different about Griffith; it was an open secret that he was gay. This at a time when homosexuality was referred to as a disease, and active gay men could expect to be jailed if they were caught having sex.That night the bout went to round twelve was the beginning of the end for Paret, but this had been a brutal fight, as all Griffith’s anger came to the fore during the earlier rounds. He hit Paret in the twelfth round with two right hands that were brutal and it was the end of Paret who was rocking on his feet. Ten days later Paret was dead, Griffith was the world champion.McRae deals with all this with the compassion required and with respect as neither Griffith or Paret are no longer with us. One of the most haunting things he brings up is a quote from Griffith which is also used on the cover of the book; “I kill am man and most people forgive me. I love a man and many say this makes me an evil person.”This is one of the most engrossing, compassionate reads about boxing and McRae deals with the dignity and respect that is required. This is one of the best biographies in recent years of a boxer, especially so when you read about the complexity of Griffith’s life.