The Science of Boxing: Rules and Articles on Training: Generalship in the Ring and Kindred Subjects

Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: A question for the detractor: What WILL make you Ali overnight?

Rating:
Summary: Yes, it's old school...
Review: but this is an excellent book all the same. If you're new to the sport, or even if you're a vet seeking to oil the gears a bit, this is truly a valuable source. I come, as my name suggests, from an old-school background anyway. My father saw to that. Kid Blackie and John L. were names that I just about wore on my sleeve from my earliest childhood days, and when the Kid became the Mauler, that name went straight on my chest - even though I always carried his name by honor. So, with Donovan's book, I have a bit of a bias and approach it with a sense of warmth and respect anyway. But, even without all that, it has the bare bones that many books do not - invaluable knowledge, information and skills. You take this up, practice it, get past the 1893 photos, and you're in for a fantastic learning experience. You really shouldn't pass this one up.

Rating:
Summary: BEST BOOK ON BOXING
Review: I fought in the pros for 8 years and in the amateurs for 6 and this is the best book on boxing I have ever read.
I give it to my friends as a present for birthdays, graduations and retirements

Rating:
Summary: IMPORT PIECE OF RING HISTORY
Review: The Science of Boxing is an important piece of America's literary heritage as well as a superior book of instuction in the manly art. I agree wholeheartedly with Raymond Miller's review.

Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: This book was written as kind of a start-up book on boxing, written in 1893(!), but the basics are very sound. The author trained, and trained with, many of the champions of the day, when Marquis of Queensberry was still new to the scene. While he teaches gloved boxing, it was still a lot like the bareknuckle style that preceded it. There was very little footwork, mostly just shuffling to get a better position, and the stance was very open, with the hands held a little lower. However, a jab was still a jab, and a hook was still a hook. The differences I noticed compared to today's boxing was that the fist appeared to be held with the knuckles aligned vertically, and it looked as if the uppercut was more of a swing with the back of the hand. The author actually goes into pretty good detail about how the body moves to create the punch, and how the fist should be when punching. He explains basic techniques, then provides the counters to them before moving on, and most of the moves have accompanying photos. On the down side, according to the photos' numbers, a few are missing, though they're never mentioned, and the photos for the moves are hardly ever on the same page as the technique. The section in the back of the book on training is still a little useful today, but I wouldn't treat is as the gospel of boxing training. Overall, a very good book for the beginner on learning how to punch, but it won't make you Ali overnight.

Rating:
Summary: If you like to collect vintage sports books....
Review: this is great, but it has no practical value. Other boxing instruction books are far superior to this antique. The pictures and comments are a bit humorous but save your money and watch a Charlie Chaplin movie.

Rating:
Summary: Great Historical Reading
Review: What an opportunity to learn boxing from an actual bare-knuckle champion. Donovan's book was endorced by such greats as Bob Fitzsimmons and Peter Jackson, and should be of great interest to any boxing historian. Also, it is a great opportunity to learn boxing skills from someone who actually fought such greats as Jack Dempsey "the Nonpareil", Jem Mace, and John L. Sullivan, just to name a few. Doyle Studio Press has done a great service to the sport of boxing by reprinting this fine work.