Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing

Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing

In the 1920s and 30s, anti-Semitism was rife in the United States and Europe. Jews needed symbols of strength and demonstrations of courage against their enemies, and they found both in two champions of boxing: Max Baer and Barney Ross. Baer was the only Jewish heavyweight champion in the twentieth century, while Ross was considered one of the greatest welterweight and lightweight champions of the era. Although their careers never crossed paths, their boxing triumphs played a common role in lifting the spirits of persecuted Jews.

In Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing, Jeffrey Sussman chronicles the lives of two men whose successful bouts inside the ring served as inspiration for Jewish fans across the country and around the world. Though they came from very different backgroundsâ€”Baer grew up on his familyâ€™s ranch in California, while Ross roamed the tough streets of Chicago and was a runner for Al Caponeâ€”both would bask in the limelight as boxing champions. Their stories include legendary encounters with such opponents as Jimmy McLarnin (known as the Jew Killer), Max Schmeling (Hitlerâ€™s favorite athlete), and Primo Carnera (a sad giant controlled and mistreated by gangsters).

While recounting the exploits of these two men, the author also paints an evocative picture of boxing and the crucial role it played in an era of anti-Semitism. A vivid and engaging look at these two heroes and the difficult era in which they lived, Max Baer and Barney Ross will appeal to boxing fans, sports historians, and anyone interested in Jewish history.
Country USA
Brand Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Manufacturer Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Binding Hardcover
ReleaseDate 2016-11-03
UnitCount 1
EANs 9781442269323

Country	USA
Brand	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Manufacturer	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Binding	Hardcover
ReleaseDate	2016-11-03
UnitCount	1
EANs	9781442269323

Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing

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