[.ca] The Devil And Sonny Liston (ISBN 0316897752)

Tosches takes a dive:
A truly talented writer is one who can write about a subject in which I have no interest and keep me interested. Tosches is a talented writer because I find boxing a bore. "The Devil and Sonny Liston" (or "Night Train," Tosches' preferred title which was used in the UK) held my interest, yet if I came to the book as a fan of either boxing or the title subject, I think I'd be disappointed. As he did in his superior biography of Dean Martin, the author uses the central figure more as a starting point to cover a wider terrain, in both cases, the influence of organized crime in 20th century America. But whereas Dino came alive on the page, Liston takes a few valiant swings before he's knocked to the canvas, a supporting character in his own life. If Liston took a dive in the famous match against Cassius Clay, and Tosches is convinced he did (and makes a convincing case despite a lack of objectivity - Tosches obviously despises Clay as a triumph of style over substance), Tosches did the same here by writing this book strictly for the cash (an admission he makes in "In the Hand of Dante"). I don't condemn that, after all, the book is still a good read, but that doesn't change my feeling that Liston and his fans got shortchanged.

Tosches hits it:
"The Devil and Sonny Liston" is a spellbinding tale about one of sports most misunderstood characters. The insight and detail Tosches presents are void of political correctness and give an intriguing portrait of one of professional boxing's most feared competitors and the sport's underlying corruption of the 50's and 60's. Muhammad Ali worshippers are in for an education. No punches are pulled. A great book!

Sonny Liston a Guest In His Own Biography:
3.5 Stars I liked most of this book, but do not consider it a biography. I think too much time - too many pages - were dedicated to the mob figures and peripheral issues and people - and it took away from Sonny - ironically - like they did. It seemed the writing style was trying too hard to be tuff and every now and then a swear would pop up - oddly - like it was just there to be there. The last 50 pages are unquestionably powerful. Toshes writing style and way work perfectly here. I think Sonny deserves more. I would not consider this a biography of the champ, but I'm glad I read it. I'm glad I got to learn some parts of Sonny Liston that I didn't know before - so that alone is worth reading it - as long as you realize that Sonny is only a bit player in what is supposed to be his biography. In addition to this I'd recommend David Remnick's King of The World - it's a fantastic book surrounded by Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali. Read both and you get somewhat of a view of Sonny Liston. Rest in Peace Champ!

Sonny Liston a Guest In His Own Biography:
3.5 Stars I liked most of this book, but do not consider it a biography. I think too much time - too many pages - were dedicated to the mob figures and peripheral issues and people - and it took away from Sonny - ironically - like they did. It seemed the writing style was trying too hard to be tuff and every now and then a swear would pop up - oddly - like it was just there to be there. The last 50 pages are unquestionably powerful. Toshes writing style and way work perfectly here. I think Sonny deserves more. I would not consider this a biography of the champ, but I'm glad I read it. I'm glad I got to learn some parts of Sonny Liston that I didn't know before - so that alone is worth reading it - as long as you realize that Sonny is only a bit player in what is supposed to be his biography. In addition to this I'd recommend David Remnick's King of The World - it's a fantastic book surrounded by Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali. Read both and you get somewhat of a view of Sonny Liston. Rest in Peace Champ!

One you might want to keep!:
I don't know if Nick Tosches is a great writer or not but he is the right man to tell the story of Sonny Liston. If you have an interest in boxing and the people who were involved at the professional level during the fifties, sixties and seventies read this account. Tosches neither justifies, villifies nor passes judgment. That is left for the reader. His research is extensive and acknowledged. There is a constant intensity reaching an invetable climax followed by a harrowing denouement and finality. Familiar names from the not too distant past appear, play their apportioned role in the subject's brutal ascent to boxing's ultimate pinnacle & leave the stage much as they entered: actors in a world of street corners, jails, motels and courtrooms: playing their parts because really, what else can one do? Sonny with bits of paper in his pocket, mixed with coins and dirt. Sonny, in jail, in the ring, in a car, with a woman, any woman, cruel, moody, unflinching, but with a certain sense of humour as only the devil's plaything can understand humour. The final snapshot of Sonny, complete with shadow, and captioned "Vegas, near the end." is a study in itself. Highly recommended for those who appreciate the bitter, not only in their liquor but in their life.