Joe Louis, My Life

Besides the entertaining account of Louis' life, this book includes some great anecdotes about American life in the middle of the 20th century, especially African American society. Among the celebrities who merit a few pages are Lena Horne (who had an affair with Louis) and Jackie Robinson (Louis claims he helped integrate the Armed Service baseball teams). The descriptions of Harlem at its peak are terrific.Despite all the revelations of infidelity and his terrible money sense, Louis comes across as warm and likeable. The descriptions of boxing matches are readable even to a non-sports fan, although at some points they tend to blur together. Lots of great pictures, too.

Oh, the "Brown Bomber"; that champ ranks among the greatest of all time.The time I spent reading Joe Louis' autobiography was fascinating. Everything about the book depicted that gentleness that was his off-ring trademark. Yes, Color-Bar affected him like any other Black person of his generation, but he took it along in his strides. It is only the grace of God that transformed this poor sharecropper's son into one of the most famous persons of the 20th Century.His record of 12-year reign as a champion, backed-up by an equally outstanding 25 title defences is still a burning candle that no heavyweight has been able to extinguish. I am only saddened by the fact that (American) racism (in those days, and to some extent today) did its best to hinder those credentials; as well as the joy that the post-ring gentleman deserved. May his soul Rest In Peace!

This book came out two years before the Bomber died,and it was real good.I always remember hearing my parents talking about how they would hear Joe Louis fights on the radio,and how proud they felt.To this day they speak highly of him.Here, He is candid on his life,including his father's mental illness,women,boxing,financial challenges,marriages,etc.He don't leave nothing out. And I have enjoyed it then and now. I had some misconceptions about him, and was glad he cleared them up. Great for the generations that knew nothing about Joe, and those that did and wish to remember.