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The Fight

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About this listen

In 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaïre, two African American boxers were paid five million dollars apiece to fight each other. One was Muhammad Ali, the aging but irrepressible "professor of boxing." The other was George Foreman, who was as taciturn as Ali was voluble. Observing them was Norman Mailer, a commentator of unparalleled energy, acumen, and audacity. Whether he is analyzing the fighters' moves, interpreting their characters, or weighing their competing claims on the African and American souls, Mailer's grasp of the titanic battle's feints and stratagems - and his sensitivity to their deeper symbolism - makes this book a masterpiece of the literature of sport.

©1975 Norman Mailer. Grateful acknowledgment is made to Grove/Atlantic, Inc., and Faber and Faber Ltd. For permission to reprint an excerpt from The Palmwine Drunkard by Amos Tutuola (published by Faber and Faber Ltd. as The Palm Wine Drinkarct), © 1953 by George Braziller, © the Estate of Amos Tutuola. Reprinted by permission of Grove/Atlantic, Inc., and Faber and Faber Ltd. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Boxing Combat Sports & Self-Defense Sports Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Combat Sports Africa
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Norman brings the few months spent in Kinshasa, Zaire to life in a way I could never have imagined. The little details about a story we all know, fleshed out and told in a style it seems nobody but Mr Mailer would possibly be capable of. This is a must for any sports fan.

The story you thought you knew

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Although I recognise much of the writing as Norman Mailers prose I cannot decipher where Norman Mailer writes and the narrator speaking about Mailer begins.

The story itself is the stuff of legend.

Although some chat of witchcraft no mention of "The succubus has got him!" of witch which apparently put a spell on Foreman. This added much to the story in When we were Kings. No dwelt on in this story.

Nevertheless good.

Can't decipher where Norman Mailer writes.

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a classic report of one the greatest moments in history.
Mailer felt the magic, and reports it accordingly.

great

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From the opening narrative on the majesty of Ali, until the final act, a great delivery captures the essence of a historic event.

Firework memories astutely distilled

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It was Narrated well.
I love Norman Mailor.
However, I had an Error in the middle of an exciting part. it took 1/2 a day to get the Narrative back.

I love Norman Mailor

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