Tunney

A wonderful book. Well written, with a fluid narrative, it does a historical justice to a champion who was not very popular during his lifetime.

Growing up poor in the West Village in early-20th century New York City, an Irish Catholic, Tunney was given boxing gloves by his father to protect himself from bullies. Soon young Gene became a good boxer, and his skill deterred bullies from picking on him. He also learned to love to read, and his bookishness became a point of contention.

One of Jack Dempsey's corner men is supposed to have said to the then-champ, "He reads books," as a way to disparage the challenger. Tunney beat Dempsey.

He also lectured on Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida when invited to speak before a class of Yale students. And became friends with G.B. Shaw.

Really a fascinating man. He married an heiress of Carnegie's partner's fortune, became a Connecticut gentleman farmer, and lived until age 81. His wife, Polly Lauder Tunney, lived to be 100, and died on April 12, 2008. Jack Cavanaugh, who wrote the book, wrote her obituary in the Times.

Polly Lauder Tunney and Gene Tunney after marrying in 1928.