Book description
The curious story of the unlikely relationship between a champion
boxer and a celebrated man of letters.
Gene Tunney, the world heavyweight-boxing champion from 1926 to
1928, seemed an unusual companion for George Bernard Shaw, but Shaw, a
world-famous playwright, found the Irish-American athlete to be
"among the very few for whom I have established a warm
affection."
The Prizefighter and the Playwright chronicles the
legendary -- but rarely documented -- relationship that formed between
this celebrated odd couple.
From the beginning, it seemed a strange relationship, as Tunney was
40 years younger and the men could not have occupied more different
worlds. Yet it is clear that these two famous men, comfortable on the
world stage, longed for friendship when they were out of the celebrity
spotlight. Full of surprises and revelations about Shaw and Tunney,
this handsome book is also a fascinating look at their times.
Author Jay R. Tunney is the son of the famous fighter, and his book
is a beautifully woven and often surprising biography of the two men.
The book evolved from the acclaimed BBC radio program The Master and
the Boy.
Fans of George Bernard Shaw will enjoy the little-known stories in
this intensely personal account that includes never-before-published
images from Tunney's own family collection.
[Review of print edition] This book is not only important to
historians, but it is also a book with a great love story and a
testament to a man who became a scholar without any traditional
schooling. It is also one of the most fascinating non-fictional studies
of a friendship that I have ever read.... When Gene Tunney died in 1978,
at the age of 81, the Boston Herald said, "Gentleman Gene left a
legacy of physical and intellectual stamina that should inspire us
all." The Washington Star added, "Mr. Tunney was given to
quoting Shakespeare. He looked like an actor; he sailed to Europe to
talk with George Bernard Shaw; he did not act like a pug. The fans would
not forgive him he died a hero. But there was never any real
understanding of this man, who was too gifted, too fast and driven, to
stay where the people wanted him." His son Jay has corrected that.
His story of Gene Tunney will be considered the final, incisive word.
Jay R. Tunney is vice president of the International Shaw
Society and a member of the Governor's International Advisory Council
for the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. His articles
have appeared in the New York Times Magazine and other
national publications.
