Whilst counting down the days and hours until my trip to Australia I have been occupying some of my time reading some books that have previously lied dormant on my desk, aside from the usual novels and non-fiction books I have read a trio of short story / prose collections. Woody Allen’s Complete Prose which went over my head mostly. Ewan Morrison’s The Last Book Your Read, a selection of short stories that mostly involved sex, and since I haven’t been privy to such debauched activities for a while I found it pretty hard to get into. Then there was Lee Rourke’s Everyday which I enjoyed most out of the three, and even had the good grace to inform the author of the pleasure that filled me as I turned each page of his book.
One of the more interesting books that I have read this year was Sam Sheridan’s A Fighter's Heart: One Man's Journey through the World of Fighting. Despite believing that fighting should always be the last resort in resolving a conflict, I am a sucker for organized prizefighting. Be it through Boxing or Mixed Martial Arts. Sheridan, despite coming across early in the book as a bit of a pampered rich kid, is actually an engaging writer who literally tackles the subject he is writing about.
Sheridan roughs it in Thailand training in Muay Thai kickboxing, repeatedly gets his arse kicked in Pat Miletich’s gym, and lives and breathes boxing with Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward and his charismatic trainer Virgil Hunter, questioning the how’s and why’s of combat sports. In amongst this are some interesting chapters about meditation and surprisingly dog fighting.
Dog fighting is something I find completely abhorrent, however I am completely ignorant about the ‘sport’, so this chapter certainly made me reevaluate my opinion, and think about it a little differently. Sheridan makes you understand that although Dog Fighting is a cruel and vicious sport there are also trainers who rear their dogs in a professional fashion, preventing them from excessive suffering.
The book has inspired me to look further into the world of fighting. When I return from my travels I'm thinking about signing up with a gym, and pushing myself into Martial Arts. At 26 I will be a late starter, but that could be said about so many decisions I've made throughout my life. Though the likelihood that I will get punched in the face makes me seriously question such a decision.
Reviews:
Showstar, Sambassadeur, The High Wire, Gaggle, Zebra & Snake, Archie Bronson Outfit, Chris TT, Dance To The Radio, Lucius, Bonobo, Sound of Guns, Sir Yes Sir and Railcars.
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