Unforgivable Blackness is a biography of Jack Johnson written by Geoffrey C. Ward. Johnson lived between the years 1878 and 1946, and he consistently struggled against people who ostracised him because of the colour of his skin. This marred his potential as a professional boxer, and in the book Ward takes a deep look into the personal life of Jack as well as the boxing side of things.
It is split into two books. One is titled: 'The Rise' and the other is entitled 'The Fall'. The first book covers his slow rise to fame, and Johnson achieving his ultimate goal of becoming World Heavyweight Champion against all odds and the second is about his immediate fall and subsequent imprisonment.
Pros
- Perhaps the biggest strength of the book is the detail that it is written in. It's depth is enormous, and Ward covers every event in Johnson's life that could be covered in scrupulous detail. The section about the run up to his fight with Jim Jeffries is particularly gripping.
- Also, a large number of sources are used. Ward calls upon countless numbers of newspaper articles and interviews which help to paint the picture of Johnson's life. A large number of these are straight from Johnson's mouth as well which adds to the book's credibility.
- This is a very useful insight into a different era, where black people were regarded as lower than the apparently saintly white man. The feeling of Johnson's loneliness is captured extremely well, and the author makes you (as the reader) feel a great deal of sympathy for Jack.
- There is not a single inconsistency within this book. It is the result of a massive amount of research and the time and effort put into this book must have been absolutely immense. As the New York Times pointed out, Unforgivable Blackness was a 'formidable accomplishment'.
Cons
- At some points, it could be argued that the book is just too detailed. It is very easy to forget important facts as you progress through the book as there are so many names and events thrown at the reader that it is very easy to lose your thread.
- Much in the same vein, the book does get confusing at some points because there are so many facts assaulting the mind of the reader at once. One couldn't read this book all day - it has to be taken bit by bit as the reader needs to be fully alert at all times to take everything in this massive work in, and appreciate it's full value.
Summary Of Unforgivable Blackness: To Buy Or Not To Buy?
Ward as an author is very capable and Jack Johnson evidently fascinates him. His writing is most definitely precise, and in the book his tries to cover as much breadth as possible. It should also not be forgotten that telling the story of such a complex and misunderstood man is very difficult, and Ward really narrates Johnson's story very well.
An avid boxing fan with a keen interest in the sport would find this book truly entertaining. However, because of it's complexity and huge depth, this book would probably not be that enjoyable to someone with just a passing interest in boxing.
Rating: 7.5/10
Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise And Fall Of Jack Johnson by Geoffrey C. Ward
Publisher: Pimlico
ISBN: 0-7126-0977-6
