Cinderella Man

I really liked the book. It caught my attention alot in the story. I found myself not being able to put the book down. I liked Jim out of all the characters, because he was the fighter, and he showed a lot of determindation and fighting skills. I liked the ending because he came back and beat Baer, who was supposed to "Kill him". It was a good book.

A month before the Australian release of 'Cinderella Man', I am pleased to announce I have finished the novel. It is a 274 page book full of blood, sweat, and tears. It also throws a spotlight on the daily struggles one faces during tremendous hardship during the Great Depression. It is a book based on true events that gave hope to millions of Americans when there was none. The story of James J. Braddock, dubbed 'Cinderella Man', for the magic he works so effortlessly around his opponents inside the boxing ring. This novel is well written and easy to read. It could look deceptive at first glance, like Jim Braddock himself, but don't be fooled. There is an incredible amount of hard work gone into each and every page of this book. Beneath the pale exterior of Jim's face, is a novel that is drenched in the hard-worked sweat of men who never give up. The boxing scenes leave the reader with a real whollop that will having you seeing stars. However, none more so then the final fight of the book when Jim Braddock must face Max Baer. Known to have killed two men in the ring. A novel that shines with a light of its very own. May we all live a blessed, happy life with those we love. If nothing else, this book should teach us that some things are worth fighting for and some things are worth dying for. May we all be wise in knowing the difference between the two and following our hearts through to their conclusion. Triumphant or otherwise, there are always moments in life we will savor over others. There wouldn't be anything more satisfying then saving people from harm. It isn't always easy but we all are capable of a human emotion worth expressing to others. The expression of unconditional love to someone worth saving, and it is that love from someone that is worth cherishing forever.

Recently, I stopped at a Walgreens to pick up medication for severe Poison Ivy. While the medication was being assembled, I had some time to kill, so I grabbed Cinderella Man off the book rack and began to read. I couldn't stop! This book is such a good read. I enjoyed every single page. The story of Jim Braddock is amazing enough, but when a great writer like Marc Cerasini is added to tell the story, well the whole piece of art comes together, creating one of the best novels I have read in a while. Cerasini manages to bring the reader into the Braddock home, exeriencing the closeness of this family that experienced tragedy and triumph on a roller-coaster type schedule. It was amazing how fast I read through this book. I couldn't get enough information about this inspiring family. Cinderella Man takes the reader back in time, and in many ways, reminded me of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. But I find Cerasini's style of writing to be a bit easier; the words seemed to flow right in to one another, and it was hard to pull my eyes off the pages. This book is well worth the $6.99. In fact, it's worth a whole lot more. Buy this book. You'll love it! See ya next review!

"I insist on having an ambulance at ringside. Jim is a nice fellow, and I wouldn't want to see him die on my hands. He won't last a round." - Max Baer, 1935. To say Max Baer, owner of "perhaps the most powerful right hand in heavyweight history (IBHOF.com)" and a 10-1 favorite, was overconfident coming into the Braddock fight would be the biggest understatement of the century. This book brings all of the compelling drama of the fight as well as the incredibly enthralling prelude leading up to it to life. Jimmy Braddock working for 15 cents a day doing grunt work at the Jersey docks and being on the dole while his fight career was seemingly all but finished makes for quite a comeback. The feisty Joe Gould, described at the time with Braddock as "boxing's odd couple," is brought to life along with Braddock's worrisome but caring wife Mae, the flashy and wise-cracking larger-than-life Baer, as well as the countless boxers that were contemporaries of Braddock including John Henry Lewis, Tommy Loughran, Joe Louis, Primo Carnera, and Max Schmeling. I couldn't put it down - period. "His devotion to his wife and family and withal his attitude as champion of the world that he will fight anybody regardless of color, or creed, has made him the most popular champion in the history of the game." - Damon Runyon, 1936

Wow, does Cerasini ever deliver! The man knows how to write. I finished the book and saw the movie five minutes later. It's a one two combo that can't be beat. The book contains some telling scenes and especially some internal motivation that no movie could ever deliver. There's a crescendo moment that's in both book and movie, but the book hits the note perfectly while it somehow gets buried in the film. Read the scene where Braddock's wife is talking to Gould's wife. In both versions they say the same things in the same setting, but in the book it's an absolute knockout. My life flashed before my eyes! For those, like me, who don't have a good understanding of boxing, the book also gives a lot more depth to the backroom deals that fuel the sport, both between the ropes and in the papers. But the pièce de ré*sis*tance has to be Cerasini's final fight scene. It's the greatest action sequence I've ever read. Who would have dreamed there are so many ways to describe a punch? And this from a guy who has written two books about pedaling a bike. Way to go, Marc. Thanks for bringing this wonderful story to life.