The Great White Hopes: The Quest to Defeat Jack Johnson - Hardcover

Kent, Graeme

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0750938927 ISBN 13: 9780750938921

Publisher: Sutton Pub Ltd, 2005

Synopsis

In Sydney, Australia, in 1908 the brash and talented black fighter Jack Johnson won the heavyweight championship of the world from the Canadian Tommy Burns. There was an immediate storm of protest. Writers, including Jack London, and politicians feared the accession of the fearless and outspoken Johnson would threaten white supremacy. It was predicted - accurately - that his reign would lead to civil unrest and race riots.

Over the next seven years, more than thirty fighters lured by the prospect of fame and a quick buck sought to regain the title from the black champion. Their stories - tragic, humorous and often deeply moving - were soon emblazoned across the headlines of thousands of newspapers. The stumbling would-be fighters emerged from farms, factories, mines, jails and hobo jungles to take part in one of the most bizarre epochs in the history of boxing and to add a new phrase to the English language, the White Hopes. In the process they were handled by some of the most venal and corrupt managers and promoters ever to be found outside a prison exercise yard.

About this title

About the Author:

Graeme Kent was the head of educational broadcasting and textbook production in the Solomon Islands,a headteacher for 18 years, a scriptwriter and producer for the schools broadcasting department at the BBC. He has written more than 40 non-fiction and fiction books. He has spent years collecting material on the White Hopes from contemporary newspaper accounts and court records.

About this edition

• Publisher: Sutton Pub Ltd
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0750938927
• ISBN 13: 9780750938921
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 244