Beyond Glory

In June 1938, the whole world watched--or rather, listened on radio--as Joe Louis quickly disposed of Max Schmeling in the first round of a rematch of their bout two years earlier in which Schmeling had defeated Louis in the 12th round. In BEYOND GLORY, David Margolick reconstructs the events and personalities involved, re-creating a rich and colorful boxing world now past. The legendary bouts took place against a background of high national feelings and rising world tensions, just prior to World War II. Both Louis, from the United States, and Schmeling, from Germany, were seen as symbols of their respective home nations. Margolick presents a wealth of examples from the popular media to show how much emotion the general public had invested in the fights and to convey their politically charged context. Margolick traces the boxers' careers leading up to their two encounters, and follows the arc of their lives post-1938, with Louis eventually dying almost broke, and Schmeling a wealthy man. Along the way, Margolick confirms the importance of sports in a nation's culture as he presents a colorful and revealing chapter in 20th-century sports history. A New York Times Notable Book of the Year for 2005.