The Professional

It's that time again.  This time around, we're getting closer to present day publication.  The Professional was written by W.C Heinz in 1958 and Ernest Hemingway called it, "the only good novel I've ever read about a fighter, and an excellent novel in its own right."  Not a bad review from a guy like Hemingway.


 This book will leave you in awe. The first time I read it, a few years ago now, after receiving it as a gift, I didn't take note of whether it was fictional or not. The story is so gripping and the characters so raw and real, that I had trouble even considering it to be a work of fiction.

This novel focuses on middleweight boxer, Eddie Brown, who is, at long last, being given a shot at the world middleweight title. Although the story is told through the eyes of a seasoned sports writer, you are memorized by this rough-around-the-edges boxer and his hard bitten coach Doc.  While The Professional is a book about boxing, it takes place for the most part at Brown's training camp, it is more so about the people within the pages than it is sports.

 W.C. Heinz was a sports writer for years so you get great play by play action that actually makes you legitimately nervous while reading about Eddie Brown's trials, but Heinz is more than capable enough to capture all the emotions of the situation.  Personally, it is those emotions that set this book apart from others.  As a reader, we get to see this character, who is a quieter man, grow and grapple with the tension and pressure of his dwindling career, and an amazing opportunity given to him.

Plot:  **

Characters:  **** 1/2

Plausibility:  **** 1/2

Overall:  *** 1/2  (3 & 1/2 stars)


Later this week I'll put up some new content and start a new poll, so check back often! Don't touch that dial, people.....well, computers don't have dials, but...you get my meaning.

Cheers!