The author of superb studies of the boxers Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey, Mr. Roberts spins a graceful and reliable narrative of Louis's life. [He] also gets into the ring with the question: Why did Joe Louis matter so much to so many?-Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal Roberts is a fine match with his subject. He supports with powerful evidence his contention that Louis's impact was enormous and profound.-Bill Littlefield, Boston Globe -- Bill Littlefield Boston Globe Well-researched, intelligent, and insightful... [Roberts is] able to capture the drama, brutality, and pathos of Louis's epic battles.-Glenn Altschuler, Philadelphia Inquirer -- Glenn Altschuler Philadelphia Inquirer [This] new biography by Randy Roberts restores Louis to his proper place in the pantheon, both as an athlete and as a cultural icon.-Allen St. John, Dallas Morning News -- Allen St. John Dallas Morning News A sympathetic, moving life of the Brown Bomber by veteran cultural historian and biographer Roberts... All legendary athletes should hope for treatment by such capable, compassionate hands.-Kirkus Reviews, starred review Kirkus Reviews A biography to be savored... Roberts' narrative of the pugilist and the man is gripping... He captures the spirit of the age, when boxing on radio fed the national imagination... Roberts recovers a great story and makes it sing for him.-Andrew Burstein, Baton Rouge Advocate -- Andrew Burstein Baton Rouge Advocate It's a thrilling account of an extraordinary life, one that needed to be retold to a generation tow hom Joe Louis is no more than an occasional face on ESPN Classic. There was a giant in those days, and Roberts has reclaimed him for us.-Allen Barra, St. Petersburg Times -- Allen Barra St. Petersburg Times [An] exciting account of the great champ's life... [The book] isn't so much a biography as a cultural history of its subject's life and times... It's a thrilling account of an extraordinary life, one that needed to be retold to a generation to whom Joe Louis is no more than an occasional face on ESPN Classic. He was a giant in those days, and Randy Roberts has reclaimed him for us.-Allen Barra, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette -- Allen Barra Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Louis's story ghad been told by sportwriters and historians many times, but Roberts is a fine match with his subject. He suppports with powerful evidence his contention that Louis's impact was enormous and profound. His explorations of the shameful social conditions and smug hyporcrisy poisoning the landscape over which Louis loomed for a time are incisive and convincing.-Bill Littlefield, New York Post -- Bill Littlefield New York Post Roberts has written a thoroughly researched, engaging book on African American heavyweight boxer Joe Louis... This excellent book has much to say about race, nationalism, and identity.-A. Ejikeme, CHOICE -- A. Ejikeme CHOICE Roberts's book is a thoroughly researched beginner's guide to boxing as well as an introductory course in 20th century politics that contains, at the heart of it, a stoic enigma of a fighter who wasn't afraid to go toe-to-toe with the world.-Lance Hicks, Bama Escapes -- Lance Hicks Bama Escapes [In this] concise, judicious biography, ... Roberts vividly re-creates a bygone time when boxing enjoyed enormous popularity... Roberts is superb at conveying the excitement that surrounded Louis' exploits.-Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond Times-Dispatch Selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2011 in the Sports and Recreation category. -- Choice Outstanding Academic Title Choice