A little late for a Christmas recommendation I know, but I recently finished Douglas Century’s biography of the boxer Barney Ross and I cannot praise it highly enough.

Ross was perhaps one of the most unlikely of Jewish heroes: the first lightweight, junior welterweight, and welterweight champion in boxing history. He went on to be awarded the Silver Star for heroism during the Second World War at Guadalcanal, and in later years overcame an addiction to morphine.

Century writes at a brisk pace, with enough information to produce a vivid portrait of Ross’ life but not so much as to make the book stodgy. He has some wonderful anecdotes about Ross’ tough Chicago childhood, his turbulent personal life, and his connections with Al Capone and Jack Ruby, as well as some great background on other Jewish boxers of the day. The story is brought particularly to life by interviews he conducts with Ross’ sole surviving brother George.

Well worth adding to the Christmas shopping list, even if it is just as a treat for yourself.

Barney Ross (Jewish Encounters)