The Harder They Fall by

Budd Schulberg's celebrated novel of the prize ring has lost none of its power since its first publication more than fifty years ago. Crowded with unforgettable characters, it is a relentless expose of the fight racket. A modern Samson in the form of a simple Argentine peasant is ballyhooed by an unscrupulous fight promoter and his press agent and then betrayed and destroyed by connivers.

Reviews

AbeBooks - GRAHAM HOLROYD, BOOKS · 2025-09-02

dramatic 4.20

The novel is described as a relentless, driving story exposing the fight racket with vivid scenes of training, fights, and the harsh realities faced by the giant boxer. It highlights the brutal and exploitative nature of the boxing world in a dramatic narrative.

The seller's description on AbeBooks presents the novel as a powerful narrative filled with intense scenes from the boxing world, from the training camps to the roaring stadium crowds. The story centers on a giant man who, despite his size and strength, is vulnerable to exploitation by the ruthless figures controlling the sport. The writing captures the fury, treachery, and passion of the fight game, portraying a man caught in a world where he cannot defend himself against cruelty. This depiction emphasizes the novel's dramatic and harsh critique of the boxing industry's corruption and moral decay.

Quick quotes

They made him - then they ganged up on him!

Punch after punch slashes out at you from the pages of his story.

Fury and treachery and sinuous passion.

Allison and Busby · 2025-09-02

relentless 4.00

The novel is a relentless exposé of the 1940s boxing fight racket, focusing on the manipulation and exploitation of a giant Argentine boxer. It explores themes of corruption, moral compromise, and the decline of boxing as a noble sport.

This description from Allison and Busby emphasizes the novel's focus on the corrupt world of boxing in the 1940s, portraying it as a business riddled with fixed fights and exploitation. The protagonist, Eddie Lewis, serves as a lens for examining the moral decay behind the scenes, as he struggles with his own principles while working as a manipulator of headlines. The story is filled with vivid characters like promoters, gamblers, and ex-fighters, all playing their part in the ruthless fight racket. The novel maintains its impact decades after its first publication, standing as a hard-hitting critique of the sport's darker side and the individuals caught in its web.

Quick quotes

Eddie is a manipulator of headlines, an inventor of hyperbole.

For in the world of 1940s boxing, fixing the game is all too easy.

It is a relentless exposé of the fight racket.

Goodreads · James Horn · 2022-05-02

powerful 4.50

The novel is praised for its sharp, clean prose and unlikable but believable characters. It delivers a powerful morality play about the corruption in boxing, with extraordinary and heartbreaking conclusions.

James Horn appreciates Budd Schulberg's straightforward writing style, which is both clean and tight, and highlights the razor-sharp dialogue throughout the book. The characters, ranging from the press agent to the mobster and the boxer himself, are portrayed as deeply flawed and unsympathetic, which adds to the novel's gritty realism. Horn finds the narrative a compelling morality play that exposes the dark underbelly of the boxing world, culminating in a powerful and heartbreaking ending. The boxing scenes are vividly described, showcasing Schulberg's expertise and making the story especially gripping for fans of the sport. Overall, Horn regards the book as a tremendous American drama and looks forward to the film adaptation starring Humphrey Bogart.

Quick quotes

Not one of the characters in the book... is the least bit likable.

The miserable conclusion to which Schulberg builds is nothing short of extraordinary.

Great snappy lines from Schulberg, believable fleshed out characters, and a great perspective.

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