{"title":"Paul Beston","description":"\u003cp\u003ePaul Beston delves into the world of sports with a sharp, engaging narrative style that brings competition and athleticism to life. His works, such as \u003cem\u003eThe Boxing Kings\u003c\/em\u003e, explore the intensity, passion, and drama that define the sporting arena.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect vivid storytelling that captures the spirit of athletes and the gripping tales behind their pursuits. Beston's books offer a compelling mix of action and insight, perfect for sports enthusiasts and fans of well-crafted sports literature alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-boxing-kings-by-paul-beston-9781442272897","title":"The Boxing Kings","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor much of the twentieth century, boxing was one of America’s most popular sports, and the heavyweight champions were figures known to all. Their exploits were reported regularly in the newspapers—often outside the sports pages—and their fame and wealth dwarfed those of other athletes. Long after their heyday, these icons continue to be synonymous with the “sweet science.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Boxing Kings: When American Heavyweights Ruled the Ring\u003c\/em\u003e, Paul Beston profiles these larger-than-life men who held a central place in American culture. Among the figures covered are John L. Sullivan, who made the heavyweight championship a commercial property; Jack Johnson, who became the first black man to claim the title; Jack Dempsey, a sporting symbol of the Roaring Twenties; Joe Louis, whose contributions to racial tolerance and social progress transcended even his greatness in the ring; Rocky Marciano, who became an embodiment of the American Dream; Muhammad Ali, who took on the U.S. government and revolutionised professional sports with his showmanship; and Mike Tyson, a hard-punching dynamo who typified the modern celebrity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis gallery of flawed but sympathetic men also includes comics, dandies, bookworms, divas, ex-cons, workingmen, and even a tough-guy-turned-preacher. As the heavyweight title passed from one claimant to another, their stories opened a window into the larger history of the United States. Boxing fans, sports historians, and those interested in U.S. race relations as it intersects with sports will find this book a fascinating exploration into how engrained boxing once was in America’s social and cultural fabric.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PTY Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47471732261100,"sku":"9781442272897","price":116.69,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/63e20049bfff85d6918e02d9ff45ec6e.jpg?v=1775792043"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/paul-beston.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}