Two Ton: One Night, One Fight -Tony Galento v. Joe Louis

I grew up in Orange and met Galento twice, decades after the big Louis fight. Both times he was amusing, colorful, and intimidating. I am thankful for this book; its portrayal is rather accurate to the man. One minor complaint: the book at times seems anti-boxing. Yes, boxing is brutal but it has its virtues which cannot be fully elaborated on here. And professional boxing ain't nothin' compared to the streets of Orange I knew!

The book should be of great interest to living boxing or history fans who remember the era and add dimension to those who don't. The book conjures up moments of history without being academic or tone-deaf to the human side. Author Monninger is a first class novelist and prolific writer; this one has the distinction of detailed research and facile delivery. Monninger creates the period as if you are living it. I might have done without reading a few sections too heavy in boxing detail such as the measurement of the forces of a heavyweight fighter's punch. In the ring with mere amateurs, I've had ribs broken twice by body shots, a broken nose, various cuts and an infinite number of bruises. It rather kills the fun of it all to read that a heavyweight's punch delivers a force of 2800 newtons. But the story of the determined loser-hero willing to risk all to make his mark on history is a testament to all of us who struggle to find inspiration. Like Joyce Carol Oates well-known book `On Boxing', this story of Two Ton Tony Galento is something of a departure from traditional boxing literature. It's funny, it's fascinating, it entertains, and it's one of the markers by which America's time is measured.

As a boxing historian and a huge reader, I found "Two Ton" to be one of the best additions to the boxing library in many years. The author did a superb job in his research and in portraying the men and their time. It is a terrific read on many levels and highly recommended ...

Boxing isn't really my thing, but I can't resist a good, well-written story. Joe Monninger's sharp, clear prose draws the reader back in time and deep into the drama of two men's lives, each both very ordinary and very special - almost mythological. It's tough not to find something of yourself in both, and impossible not to be pulled along by this engaging story of one night and one fight. Buy it. Read it.

Excellent book about a boxer on the Joe Louis bum of the month tour. Galento looked and acted like a clown but he knocked down the greatest fighter of his era and the cover picture proves it.