Cinderella Man: Braddock, Baer, and Boxing's Biggest Upset

This true Depression-era story of a down-and-out fighter’s dramatic comeback is “a delight” (David Halberstam) and a New York Times Bestseller. Once promising light heavyweight, James J. Braddock, suffered a string of losses in the ring and a broken right hand, coinciding with the Great Crash of 1929. As a result, Braddock was forced to labor on the docks of Hoboken. However, his manager, Joe Gould, still believed in him, finding matches for Braddock to help support his family. Together, they staged the greatest comeback in fighting history, with Braddock going from being on the relief rolls to facing heavyweight champion Max Baer within twelve months. Baer, renowned for allegedly killing two men in the ring, was heavily favored, but Braddock carried the hopes and dreams of the working class on his shoulders. When he emerged victorious against all odds, the shock was palpable, and the cheers were deafening, leading Damon Runyon to dub him “Cinderella Man.” Against the gritty backdrop of the 1930s, Cinderella Man brings this dramatic all-American story to life, telling a classic David and Goliath tale that transcends the sport. The New York Times lauds it as “A punchy read with touches of humor,” while Jimmy Breslin hails it as “A wonderful, thrilling boxing story, and simultaneously a meticulous look at Depression life.”

product information: