THE PROFESSIONAL

by W. C. Heinz ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 3, 1957

A free lance sports writer, whose name carries with the fight fans, takes the reader behind the scenes in a novel which gives a close up on a decent, honest youth, middleweight challenger, whose heart is in his profession despite its phony aspects, and its bums. Eddie Brown had a wife and a son -- but they came after the ring. And his manager, Doc Carroll, saw to it that the kept his mind on the goal, right through the tough training period at Chalet Swiss. With them is Frank Hughes, assigned on his story-and seeing at intimate range, the step by step process of training, the odd assortment of characters, and the mounting tension as the day of the fight draws near. For the uninitiate, it all seems pretty corny; the dialogue spins thin; the scenes in locker room and ring and at mealtime add up to an atmosphere that leaves one out. The final build up and the fight itself manages to catch something of the aura- but it remains a tale told in the vernacular, about a strange world all its own. Fight fans- take over. This is definitely for you- and not for the rest of us.

Pub Date: Jan. 3, 1957

ISBN: 0306810581

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1957

Categories: FICTION