by Teddy Atlas
“[Teddy Atlas] has written a book that should be required reading not only for boxing fans but for all people. Here is a story told by a natural-born storyteller…. Read it and you’ll see how this story would make a great movie. Spike Lee, have you read it yet?”
—Daily News (New York)
“There is a strong narrative line in this book, and at the core one very important piece of wisdom about the male psyche. According to Atlas, men are so terrified of failure and rejection that they will indulge in all manner of odd and self-destructive behaviors in an effort to avoid ever having to find out what they are truly made of.”
—Philadelphia Inquirer
“It’s all here—the good, the bad, and the ugly of Teddy Atlas, often rendered in a crude but convincing street language; captured so faithfully and so forcefully.”
—Dave Anderson, New York Times Book Review
“If you’re looking for a behind-the-scenes look at boxing and what makes boxers tick, you’ll find plenty of that here. But don’t be surprised if you finish Atlas wanting to know more about a dysfunctional family that produced such a dramatic life story.”
—Boston Globe
“I have talked often about the great scene I witnessed of trainer Teddy Atlas putting the stool into the ring at the end of eight rounds and sitting on it and telling the fighter Michael Moorer, ‘If you don’t want to fight the guy, I will.’ Now, I read Teddy Atlas’s book and find it is just one part of an exciting life. He is an amazing storyteller.”
—Jimmy Breslin
“Teddy Atlas taught me a lot about human nature through boxing. That world he loves so much conspired to corrupt and compromise him at every turn yet he ‘never took a dive.’ His plainspoken struggle to keep his integrity is heroic, funny, and inspiring.”
—Willem Dafoe
“Remarkably articulate, succinct, honest (in a sport more corrupt than American politics), respectful, and humble…. Several memorable passages shine in this book.”
—Baltimore Sun
“Atlas is a straight right of relentless honesty. As is often the case with complicated geniuses, there’s a story to tell at journey’s end—if they live long enough. Lucky for us—and the many he’s still helping along the way—Teddy’s still here.”
—Albany Times Union
“Suffused with the unique wisdom of the legendary Cus D’Amato, Atlas is a vividly written, intimately detailed, and moving memoir of a life in boxing.”
—Joyce Carol Oates
“I met Teddy Atlas when we broadcast boxing together at the 2000 Olympics. His remarkable life has been all about integrity—from the early days with Mike Tyson to his current status as one of the sport’s premier commentators. This is a riveting inside look at the world of boxing from a man who in the perfect world would be its national commissioner.”
—Marv Albert
“A work of cumulative, powerful impact: [Teddy Atlas] doesn’t allow anyone, including readers, to evade life’s tough questions.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“[Atlas tells] his story with plenty of atmospherics, Runyonesque characters, and an illuminating focus on the boxer’s internal battle.”
—Publishers Weekly
“After a lifetime of violence, after knife fights and stickups, after gang wars and drawn guns, after wild brawls and boxing, Teddy Atlas tells us, better than anyone I know, that the real fight takes place inside. Fascinating and authentic.”
—Nicholas Pileggi
“I must say that no one, in my opinion, has more to say about strategy and tactics in the ring than Teddy Atlas.”
—Norman Mailer
“Even though I’m a football guy, I always hung around boxing gyms. I learned a lot about sports and life from watching Teddy Atlas train fighters and work with kids. He’s an inspiration, and reading his book is like having him in your corner.”
—Bill Parcells
Credits
Cover Design by Todd Robertson
Cover Photograph by Ralph Del Pozzo
Copyright
ATLAS. Copyright © 2006 by Teddy Atlas. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
ePub edition July 2007 ISBN 9780061738364
Version 02282014
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