The "Let's Bug John Garfield To Write A Book" Thread

[salsanchezfan]

..............Fellas, it's up to us. John is a vessel of priceless information on the sport we love, and much of what he knows and the stories he has to tell are that of a truly dying breed.

Not to nag our eyewitness historian, but I will. Anyone else?

[john garfield]

..............Fellas, it's up to us. John is a vessel of priceless information on the sport we love, and much of what he knows and the stories he has to tell are that of a truly dying breed.

Not to nag our eyewitness historian, but I will. Anyone else?

I was stunned when I saw this thread, s -- did a double-take. It was like seein' the Red Queen in the "Manchurian Candidate."

Honored you felt strongly enough to embarrass me. If my wife and daughter see this they'll beat me about the head 'n shoulders until I do it

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

[Jack]

Absolutely! I loved reading John's posts and would definetly buy his book. The pieces of backstage information he provides are always great. I'm only 20, so it's cool reading about the different characters who were well before my time. Brilliant poster and I'm sure his book would be a success.

EDIT: Hopefully you are a faster typer than me though, otherwise it will take about 19 years to complete a chapter.

[salsanchezfan]

...........Well John, I happen to agree with your family. I wish I knew what the proper impetus would be for you to do it, and can only hope it hits you.

[AliFrazier71]

I'm all for it as well! I love reading your stories John. I find myself at the edge of my seat when reading one of your stories wondering how it is going to turn out. Brilliant stuff!

[acb]

I agree. Its rare to ever get inside stories like he gives regularly... and I will say that it was one of my favorite days on ESB a while back when he PM'd me to tell me he liked a thread I made about my love for boxing. I didn't know who he was at that time and he sent me some articles he wrote about Pep and SRR... great stuff.

[Rebel-INS]

I'd most definitely buy that book.

[elindiomonzon]

he gives very valuable information to us "kids"(im 19).i will definitely buy his book.

[Rui]

Not only is john garfield a wealth of boxing knowledge and anecdotes, but he's also a very skilled writer, which means everything if you want to promote a book. I would certainly buy it because I'm thoroughly entertained by the vivid descriptions and details that he uses along with his stories.

[fists of fury]

You have my unflinching support. It would be criminal to not write a book.

[ChuckYoungblood]

Good thread! I would read that book.

[fists of fury]

Good thread! I would read that book.

Off topic for a second - where the hell did you get all that vCash??

[cardstars]

I'm all in. Garfields write-up on SRR was top notch and made me feel like I was growing up in the era and witnessing the great one himself. I think he could write an amazing book, and I would buy it

[ripcity]

I would buy your book.

[Mendoza]

Garfield must pass on the oral history of boxing.

[punchy]

I thought you had written a book John, am I mistaken.

[Maxmomer]

I'd buy the ever-loving shit out of that book were it to ever be written and/or published. Probably not immediatly, but I'd definitely get around to it.

[red cobra]

I would buy the book for sure. John Garfield has forgotten more about boxing than most people ever learn. He's one of the posters that I always learn from.

[punchy]

he is a great poster I am fifty in a week but wasn't even born when he some of the stuff he talks about happened, its great to have some one post here who has seen what the rest of have only read about.

[salsanchezfan]

................So uh...........whaddya say there, John? Peer pressure getting to you yet? :hey

[john garfield]

................So uh...........whaddya say there, John? Peer pressure getting to you yet? :hey

I'd hate to owe you money, s.

You must be very proud; after reading the thread, my wife and daughter have increased the needling.

[My dinner with Conteh]

A good Carlos Monzon Tome is clearly missing from the boxing library. Sort it out JG. :hey

[amhlilhaus]

yes, write a book.

I also can't wait until cross_trainer comes out with his book. then I hope he goes back to posting regularly.

[MrSmall]

Signed, Joe!

[MrSmall]

yes, write a book.

I also can't wait until cross_trainer comes out with his book. then I hope he goes back to posting regularly.

Wow, CT with a book? what about, training?

[prime]

The time is now, Mr. Garfield.

[john garfield]

MdwC's suggested I do a book about Carlos Monzon -- which does spark my interest.

Have you guys any other suggestions?

[abraq]

Yes John, you have to write. Begin with Monzon if it has sparked your interest.

BUT DO WRITE!

[Dempsey1238]

Better get started Garfield lol.
We want Rocky Marciano, Jack Dempsey, Micky Walker, Ray Robinson, and others. OF couse no book is complete with out Barney Ross.

[Dempsey1238]

Dont want a book on boxing or a bio boxing, but on Garfiled's own meetings with the greats.
Like him watching Marciano spar, or meeting the legends when they are old like Jack Dempsey.

[john garfield]

Dont want a book on boxing or a bio boxing, but on Garfiled's own meetings with the greats.
Like him watching Marciano spar, or meeting the legends when they are old like Jack Dempsey.

More an in-depth character profile, D?

[Dempsey1238]

Something like that, We all know the storys of Ali Frazier I or III ete. But though your eyes and all.
No one relly knows or SEEN what you seen with Marciano sparing or your meetings with past old greats before they died.

I only recall Marciano and Dempsey perhaps?? And Louis??
Though you mention Barney Ross before the crash.

[salsanchezfan]

I'd hate to owe you money, s.

You must be very proud; after reading the thread, my wife and daughter have increased the needling.




:D

[prime]

Those nuances of the boxing greats that only first-hand observation can provide could be a suitable subject. A LIFETIME IN THE PRESENCE OF GREATNESS: JOHN GARFIELD'S BOXING ANECDOTES sounds not too bad to me, with chapters on all the titans of the ring you crossed paths with!

[janitor]

It is John Garfields destiny to write a book.

I have already explained this to him repeatedly.

[john garfield]

Those nuances of the boxing greats that only first-hand observation can provide could be a suitable subject. A LIFETIME IN THE PRESENCE OF GREATNESS: JOHN GARFIELD'S BOXING ANECDOTES sounds not too bad to me, with chapters on all the titans of the ring you crossed paths with!

Very interesting approach, p. I should make you my editor.

[prime]

I'll be your spit-bucket guy any day!

[Mohak]

Sign me up.

[Chinxkid]

You must be very proud; after reading the thread, my wife and daughter have increased the needling.

Look at it this way; if you don't do it who will?

[salsanchezfan]

................Don't make us pull reverse psychology out of our bag of tricks John; that could get ugly. :thumbsup

[john garfield]

................Don't make us pull reverse psychology out of our bag of tricks John; that could get ugly. :thumbsup

I thought this was the classic section, s, not Abu Ghraib.

[teeto]

Just seen this thread now, get it done John!!!

[john garfield]

Just seen this thread now, get it done John!!!

Sure! Pile on, t!

[Dempsey1238]

We give you a month before we riot lol.

[ChrisPontius]

MdwC's suggested I do a book about Carlos Monzon -- which does spark my interest.

Have you guys any other suggestions?


Have you read "Dark Trade", by Donald McRae? That book has a very pleasing style and i think something similar to that would be extremely interesting. For instance, it could go all the way from your early days of seeing bits of an aging Louis, to Stillman's gym stories, to a recent Klitschko interview. I'd be more than happy to read it.:happy

[john garfield]

Have you read "Dark Trade", by Donald McRae? That book has a very pleasing style and i think something similar to that would be extremely interesting. For instance, it could go all the way from your early days of seeing bits of an aging Louis, to Stillman's gym stories, to a recent Klitschko interview. I'd be more than happy to read it.:happy

Haven't read "Dark Trade," CP, but've heard glowing reports about it over the years, and will add it to my book list.

Appreciate the thoughtful concept suggestion.

[Russell]

Without a doubt.

Dooooooo it.

[john garfield]

Without a doubt.

Dooooooo it.

Easy for you to say, R

[Mendoza]

Easy for you to say, R


Ok, how about a book full of short stories then? You have half of them done already. Just dedicated the book to the wife and you are fine.

[john garfield]

Ok, how about a book full of short stories then? You have half of them done already. Just dedicated the book to the wife and you are fine.

I'll just put a fancy cover on my posts, M, and see if that sells...Of course, dedicating it to my wife.

[dpw417]

JG, Glad to hear you're considering doing a book. You've lead a facinating life being as close to sport as you've been. I'll second that a book on Monzon would be a great read, and hasn't been done bfore (which is strange, to say the least).
Your stories and first hand experiences with SRR and Joe Louis would be great in print...I'd really like something re SRR from you.(but I'm a Robinson fan)
Another idea which would be a nice read is Stillman's Gym....as far as boxing goes, you have almost unlimited ideas there....great fighters, trainers, personalities...Hey, you've been there, you've lived it...just put it down on paper.

[salsanchezfan]

..............Anything would be good John, but in my mind's eye I envision it set up loosely along the lines of Peter Heller's "In This Corner," if only slightly.

By that I mean, break it up into decades, and your remembrances of each, and how times may have changed, but the essence of what drew you to the sport remained the same (if that's how you see it; I get the impression you do).

[janitor]

Such a book would be a veritable treasure trove for any boxing fan from the casual to the historian.

Some would read it cover to cover, some would dip into it for the ocasional yarn when they had a bit of time to kill.

I am certain that some passages would ultimately get quoted in other books, and articles.

Only one person can make it happen.

[john garfield]

Such a book would be a veritable treasure trove for any boxing fan from the casual to the historian.

Some would read it cover to cover, some would dip into it for the ocasional yarn when they had a bit of time to kill.

I am certain that some passages would ultimately get quoted in other books, and articles.

Only one person can make it happen.

No BS, j, I'm humbled by your comment. I'd hate to have it fall short of expectations.

[janitor]

No BS, j, I'm humbled by your comment. I'd hate to have it fall short of expectations.

I know from your posts that you have good prose style and an excelent knack for telling stories. The latter is something that not a lot of people have.

The hardest part would be producing a structure for the book in terms of chapters, and sequence of stories in each chapter. Once you had that you would not have much trouble with the rest.

The publisher would give it to a proof reader who would tidy it up in terms of the gramar, flow between events, typos etc.

[Chinxkid]

Hey JG, this may sound ridiculous, but maybe not. Why not write it right here, on this forum? Start a thread of your stories; I think you know what format it will be in, and everyday post one or two stories for everyone to enjoy and to sound off on. The book is already written J, in your head; you just have to get it out. You know I'm not computer saavy, but you could probably transfer it to your personal file from here. This way you'll get all the feedback you could ask for, directly from your intended market-reader, and the book will in effect write itself. Your golden!

[john garfield]

I know from your posts that you have good prose style and an excelent knack for telling stories. The latter is something that not a lot of people have.

The hardest part would be producing a structure for the book in terms of chapters, and sequence of stories in each chapter. Once you had that you would not have much trouble with the rest.

The publisher would give it to a proof reader who would tidy it up in terms of the gramar, flow between events, typos etc.

After reading this to my wife, her response was: "JUST WRITE THE FUCK'N BOOK!"

[janitor]

After reading this to my wife, her response was: "JUST WRITE THE FUCK'N BOOK!"

It is your choice at the end of the day but if you were interested in writing it, I have relatives in publishing and could advise you where to submit it, and how.

If you submited it to the wong publisher it would get thrown on a so called "slush pile" and probably not be looked at. The first Harry Potter book was rescued from a slush pile against the odds.

If you submit it through an agent it would go straight under the nose of a publisher.

[john garfield]

It is your choice at the end of the day but if you were interested in writing it, I have relatives in publishing and could advise you where to submit it, and how.

If you submited it to the wong publisher it would get thrown on a so called "slush pile" and probably not be looked at. The first Harry Potter book was rescued from a slush pile against the odds.

If you submit it through an agent it would go straight under the nose of a publisher.

I'm overwhelmed by your offer, j -- beyond anything I could've imagined, from what seemed like a thread that was a good-natured nudge.

I'll keep this close-at-hand.

[john garfield]

..............Anything would be good John, but in my mind's eye I envision it set up loosely along the lines of Peter Heller's "In This Corner," if only slightly.

By that I mean, break it up into decades, and your remembrances of each, and how times may have changed, but the essence of what drew you to the sport remained the same (if that's how you see it; I get the impression you do).


Right on the money, s. Still weighing what I"ll need to be passionate about for months.

First, and foremost, it has to be a cracking-good story, (not every boxer lends himself to that. Some great ones have been vanilla)

The book has to stand on its own as a compelling read...Might even be a novel set against a boxing bg, similar to W.C. Heinz's "The Professional."

The litmus test is making it a page-turner.

[Drew101]

adding my name to this petition

[la-califa]

Good, well written Boxing tales are indeed rare, Johnny you have a talent, I defenatly would preorder this book.

[Ted Spoon]

If you have the ability to add quality to the boxing library then don't be hesitant in doing so, John.

[john garfield]

"He knocked me out? that MUTHAFUCKER! Did you know about this? Freddie Roach shouted to me across the Wild Card gym.

Some of the trainers were crowded around the front desk giving him the needle after learning in a fantasy boxing match on the web, Murad Muhammad knocked Roach out in four rounds.

Freddie was laughing but his Irish was up.

"How different would that fight be from your perspective, Freddie?" I asked.

"I want a rematch!" he laughed. "I'd knock him out in one; I promise you."

"What if he tried that martial arts stuff"

"No problem. Anything goes. We can go no rules, that okay? I'll straighten his teeth out."

But I reminded him: "The guy must out-weigh you by almost a 100 pounds."

"That 100 pounds is not a conditioned 100 pounds. It's probably in my favor"

"What was your initial reaction when you heard about the result of the fight between you and Murad on the net?"

"I was pissed off. Murad and me fighting a fictional fight...AND HIM WINNING? If the odds are in his favor, I'd make a lot of money on me in that one."

[Pat_Lowe]

"He knocked me out? that MUTHAFUCKER! Did you know about this? Freddie Roach shouted to me across the Wild Card gym.

Some of the trainers were crowded around the front desk giving him the needle after learning in a fantasy boxing match on the web, Murad Muhammad knocked Roach out in four rounds.

Freddie was laughing but his Irish was up.

"How different would that fight be from your perspective, Freddie?" I asked.

"I want a rematch!" he laughed. "I'd knock him out in one; I promise you."

"What if he tried that martial arts stuff"

"No problem. Anything goes. We can go no rules, that okay? I'll straighten his teeth out."

But I reminded him: "The guy must out-weigh you by almost a 100 pounds."

"That 100 pounds is not a conditioned 100 pounds. It's probably in my favor"

"What was your initial reaction when you heard about the result of the fight between you and Murad on the net?"

"I was pissed off. Murad and me fighting a fictional fight...AND HIM WINNING? If the odds are in his favor, I'd make a lot of money on me in that one."

Out of curiosity, did you ever meet Eddie Futch at all?

[john garfield]

Out of curiosity, did you ever meet Eddie Futch at all?

Sorry to say, I didn't, PL

[RockyJim]

C'mon John.......

[Seasoned Veteran]

There is the book Shadow Boxers that has a short John Garfield piece but I want more!

[john garfield]

There is the book Shadow Boxers that has a short John Garfield piece but I want more!

You're probably one of the three people who've read that, SV.

Appreciate the encouragement.

[Seasoned Veteran]

You're probably one of the three people who've read that, SV.

Appreciate the encouragement.
It is a recommended book.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]