Rating: 
Summary: Good story, easy read
Review: I really expected not to like this book, having read some unfavorable reviews and being generally disappointed by Feinstein's latest efforts. But I've liked several of his books and decided to give this a shot.It was refreshing to see him write a book that wasn't "A year in the life of" something. He took one event and showed how it changed two people's lives dramatically -- and several other people's lives on the periphery. The structure is a bit awkward, as he starts with the event, then goes into detail on the game in which it occured, then shifts into reverse and traces the lives of both men before the punch, then takes the read through their lives after the punch. This is what led him to repeat some phrases, and I agree that it's a bit annoying. But Feinstein's strength is his ability to get his subjects to speak candidly, and he did a great job of that here. Both are open and honest about the struggles -- some self-imposed -- each has faced since the punch entwined them in history. This book is not as good as A Season on the Brink or A Good Walk Spoiled, but it's better than some of his more recent books. It's a good sports book and a better character study.
Rating: 
Summary: The long term impact of a moment few will ever forget
Review: I remember when the "punch" happened. At the time it was fortunate that our modern media was not in place, because we would have been subject to replays for weeks on end. Even so, what I felt as a young person seeing the impact of the blow, and more importantly, what I felt towards Kermit Washington, stuck with me all these years and came back as I opened and started reading this book.
This book details the lives of the two people; both before and after the event itself. One of the more powerful elements of the story is how fast life can change. Kermit Washington is a man that should be admired for his work ethic, his tenacity in overcoming a tough childhood, and his charity work throughout the world. Unlike many of the NBA players today who get involved in drugs, crime, and are some of the most self-centered people imaginable, Kermit is none of those things. Despite this fact, he also appears to be a bitter man who cannot get beyond the effects of these events. The book explores the fact that Kermit Washington is far more than a man defined by this one moment.
Throughout the book I saw myself as one of those who viewed this man in a negative light for nearly 30 years and realized that I represent what Kermit Washington cannot let go of. That the book has the purpose and result of illuminating that life is not always what it seems makes it a remarkable gift.
The other side of the story depicts the saga of Rudy Tomjanovich. The scars of the damage go well beyond the physical features of Rudy, although he has gone on to much success in his career as a player and a coach. It was fascinating to read about the reactions of his teammates, and how close to death Rudy came.
One valid criticism of this book is the editing. The content is excellent, and the author has provided some great insights into an event that took place nearly three decades ago. However, the story does take a bit of work to get through at times because of the way the editing results in what seems to be a lack of continuity in how the information is depicted. One often gets the feeling that they are reading the same thing over and over.
Overall, if you also experienced this event I would recommend this book despite some of the editing opportunities. If you, like me, have had a view of these two people as a result of the "punch", then a full view of the people involved is invaluable. I changed my long held opinions as a result of reading this book. The story is compelling and well worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: Unneccessarily long telling of story
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed A Good Walk Spoiled and A Season On The Brink, but The Punch was fairly disappointing. I think Feinstein did a fair job of retelling the story. He drew good quotes from the participants and witnesses and others. However, Feinstein constantly repeats himself. He could repeat one statement about 4 or 5 times. I thought it was quite annoying. Even the first chapter of the book was repeated throughout the story again and again. Though it was a shocking and sad story, maybe Feinstein realized he could not find any interesting subtexts although I agree with another reviewer that Feinstein should have talked to the coaches and others about why Washington cannot find work these days in the NBA. Not one of Feinstein's better efforts.
Rating:
Summary: The Punch - A good read
Review: I thought the book was a very interesting read. The research was as thorough as possible for something that happened over 25 years ago without getting too detailed. Feinstein tells the story of how it affected the lives of the subjects without getting judgemental. I had a different impression of both men than I did before I read the book. If I can read a book in less than two weeks, I consider it gripping. I read this one in less than one.
Rating: 
Summary: The first and only book I'll read by Feinstein
Review: I was extremely disappointed by this book. I have listened to interviews with John Feinstein on several radio programs and always admire his vast knowledge of sports, including its influence on popular culture, and in addition have heard nothing but positives about his books (in hindsight, mainly by radio program hosts who were no doubt sucking up to him during the interviews...). I picked up this book because of this and due to the fact that the only thing I know about this incident (like many others, I presume) I have seen over and over in a 10 second video clip: Kermit Washington knocking Rudy Tomjanovich out with a devastating blow. Sounded like a fascinating incident with which to revolve a story around. This book, however, told me very little, and I was pained in turning the pages. Kermit grew up poor, worked hard, still denies he did it intentionally, blah, blah, blah. Rudy doesn't want to talk about it that much, etc. These points were repeated dozens of times. The only interesting things I found about the book were those ancillary to The Punch and how they were affected. And "the fight that changed basketball forever?" How? A third referee was added and fines and suspensions were increased? Oh boy. Gripping. Racism was mentioned a couple of times as a reason for Kermit's troubles after the incident, both by the author and by Kermit, but nothing more was mentioned (or explored?). Confusing. The author noted that he was originally scheduled to work on another novel, and wrote this book against the wishes of his editors. Next time, John, listen to them.
Rating:
Summary: Promises the world, delivers squat
Review: If you are reading this, then you already know what the book is about, so there is no need for me to describe "The Punch" and who was involved. Unfortunately, the author does not share this belief and not only wants to tell you, but insists on telling you over and over again in mind-numbing repetition.
The reason for this is clear to me: this is not really a book. It is a long magazine article masquerading as a book. Some judicious editing would have shown exactly that. But the publishers would have had to issue the book at less than one-half its length which surely would have impeded sales. It is now a respectable length thanks to the author's need to describe the personalties of both men and the surrounding cast too many times. Nevertheless and despite my carping, it is a strangely compelling story and one that most sports enthusiasts may find interesting. Give it a try if the subject interests you, but don't have high expectations.
Rating:
Summary: Mind-numbing repetition, but strangely compelling
Review: If you are reading this, then you already know what the book is about, so there is no need for me to describe "The Punch" and who was involved. Unfortunately, the author does not share this belief and not only wants to tell you, but insists on telling you over and over again in mind-numbing repetition.
The reason for this is clear to me: this is not really a book. It is a long magazine article masquerading as a book. Some judicious editing would have shown exactly that. But the publishers would have had to issue the book at less than one-half its length which surely would have impeded sales. It is now a respectable length thanks to the author's need to describe the personalties of both men and the surrounding cast too many times. Nevertheless and despite my carping, it is a strangely compelling story and one that most sports enthusiasts may find interesting. Give it a try if the subject interests you, but don't have high expectations.
Rating: 
Summary: Misses his own point
Review: In the introduction, Feinstein tells us how compelling he found this subject and how he pursued Tomjanovich and Washington rather than writing a book on golf. Then he inexplicably rushes through the book without apparent editing or proofreading. As many of the other reviewers point out, the repetition is extremely distracting. Of course, Feinstein's work never really qualifies as fine literature, but he's usually a very good sports journalist. This plainly is not his best work, which is too bad because he was right -- there was an interesting story here.
Regarding that story, the author's presentation was reasonable but could have been more comprehensive. In particular, he presents the punch and it's aftermath as an unfortunate incident -- almost an accident. Although he mentions in passing that Tomjanovich came close to dying, he never explores just what that would have meant, both to Washington and to professional sports. Instead, he recounts both players' careers and alternates between sympathetic and pathetic portrayals of Washington. He seems to want us to choose sides and then tells us that there are no sides.
As for Washington, it's unfortunate that this one event has overshadowed all of the good things that he has done inside and outside of basketball. But I have to agree with John Lucas that Washington has never owned up and taken responsibility for his actions. He refers to events using the passive voice. He childishly blames someone else for starting the fight. Heck, Tomjanovich takes more responsibility for what happened than Washington does. And if we use the measure that bad people are people who do bad things, for one moment at least Kermit Washington was a bad person.
Rating:
Summary: Misses his own point
Review: In the introduction, Feinstein tells us how compelling he found this subject and how he pursued Tomjanovich and Washington rather than writing a book on golf. Then he inexplicably rushes through the book without apparent editing or proofreading. As many of the other reviewers point out, the repetition is extremely distracting. Of course, Feinstein's work never really qualifies as fine literature, but he's usually a very good sports journalist. This plainly is not his best work, which is too bad because he was right -- there was an interesting story here.
Regarding that story, the author's presentation was reasonable but could have been more comprehensive. In particular, he presents the punch and it's aftermath as an unfortunate incident -- almost an accident. Although he mentions in passing that Tomjanovich came close to dying, he never explores just what that would have meant, both to Washington and to professional sports. Instead, he recounts both players' careers and alternates between sympathetic and pathetic portrayals of Washington. He seems to want us to choose sides and then tells us that there are no sides.
As for Washington, it's unfortunate that this one event has overshadowed all of the good things that he has done inside and outside of basketball. But I have to agree with John Lucas that Washington has never owned up and taken responsibility for his actions. He refers to events using the passive voice. He childishly blames someone else for starting the fight. Heck, Tomjanovich takes more responsibility for what happened than Washington does. And if we use the measure that bad people are people who do bad things, for one moment at least Kermit Washington was a bad person.
Rating:
Summary: Two Lives, One night
Review: John Feinstein has again transported us to another world. He is the master at helping lead the reader somewhere he is not likely to go on his own. Feinstein is a master storyteller. This story of the effect one moment on the lives of two men is both fascinating and compelling.
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