Bartley Gorman

Well, this one is certainly more violent than either [b:Pretty Boy|1098316|Pretty Boy|Roy Shaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353399762l/1098316._SY75_.jpg|904758] or [b:The Guv'nor|1021656|The Guv'nor|Lenny McLean|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328702101l/1021656._SY75_.jpg|1007783]. It also seems much more earnest as much as a memoir about brutal street brawls and prizefighting goes anyway. This memoir did not shy away from the violence or the grim realization that competitors and so-named "suicide fighters" would crawl from the woodwork to try to take down a champion or seize a title. The same goes for those seeking revenge for the slightest infraction or a grudge held on someone else's behalf.
This book focused on the fighting and the history of gypsy bare-knuckle boxing. This did cause the first two or three chapters to drag a little as they went through fighting history. It was necessary to illustrate the strong connection of Bartley Gorman to that fighting history of which his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were part. Overall, it was a strong book, and details were not concealed to avoid admitting to crimes as in the previously mentioned memoirs. His bare-knuckle career essentially being a crime anyway. However, Bartley's anti-abortion stance and intense Christian faith are definitely sticking points for me but he didn't preach until the very end where his politics are muted by his humanity.
I liked this book and am glad I read it. I would recommend this to anyone interested in illegal bare-knuckle prizefighting especially if they are curious about the hidden history of such competitive fighting amongst British & Irish travelers.… (más)