Atlas
From the Streets to the Ring: A Son's Struggle to Become a Man
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4.7 • 35 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
"Of all the people who have affected by my life and influence the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father."
So begins the autobiography of legendary boxing trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas, who grew from the rebellious son of a doctor to a man who embraces, and lives by, his father's values and code.
In this gritty, spellbinding tale, Atlas recounts his fascinating life -- as a juvenile delinquent on the streets of Staten Island; as a boxer and Golden Gloves champion under the tutelage of famed trainer Cus D'Amato; as a companion to the dangerous, unpredictable Sammy "the Bull" Gravano, up until the day Gravano turned rat and brought down crime boss John Gotti; and as a trainer of champions and contenders, among them fourteen-year-old Mike Tyson and heavyweight Michael Moorer, whom he led to the crown with a win over Evander Holyfield.
Equally engrossing are Teddy Atlas's accounts of training dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp for her successful comeback at age forty-two; his work with actor Willem Dafoe, preparing him for his role as a concentration camp boxer in the film Triumph of the Spirit; his journey to Poland to choreograph the film's boxing scenes; and his own performance in movies such as Play It to the Bone. In sharing his stories, Atlas reveals the philosophy by which he lives.
Like Teddy Atlas -- inimitable, tough, honest, and wise -- this book inspires. It is about so much more than boxing. It is a story of overcoming hardships, of compassion for those in need, of tremendous personal integrity, and of personal and professional triumph.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Boxing trainer and ESPN commentator Atlas ruminates on fighting as a form of masculine psychotherapy, from his own youthful street brawling to his stints training a young Mike Tyson and heavyweight champ Michael Moorer. His theme is the male psyche's craving for paternal approval, evinced in his juvenile acting out against an emotionally distant dad and his ringside relationships with a succession of surrogate sons. With them, Atlas's mentoring toggles between fatherly tenderness ("I care about you. You're important to me") and tough-love harangues ("hit him in the fuckin' balls and become a fighter or you get on the next train and you get the fuck out of my life!"). He also becomes a spiritual guide to celebrity clients like Twyla Tharp, whom he lectures on the need to face one's fears, and Willem Dafoe, with whom he discusses the nature of truth. Atlas's exhaustively transcribed motivational sermons can be wearisome, and in his self-serving accounts of boxing industry intrigues he is always loyal and principled. But he and amanuensis Alson tell his story with plenty of atmospherics, Runyonesque characters and an illuminating focus on the boxer's internal battle. Photos.
Customer Reviews
Simply outstanding
Read this book and you’ll be equipped with lessons and tools you can use for life. Read this book and you’ll be a better man or woman for it.
Honesty, strength, perspective
This is as good a sports biography as one can get theirs hands in. Atlas speaks from the soul. If you’re a fighter, then you know of the certain loneliness that comes along with the journey. The honesty shared in Teddy’s rendition of his life eases some of that.
Atlas Pulls No Punches
I read Teddy’s book, Atlas: From the Streets to the Ring, back when it first came out and it was a game changer for me. He gave me deep insight into my inner man. As if he was personally training me to be his next great fighter. His book not only exposed my fears, but it also removed some bad habits I had developed mentally from a series of failures. After I finished that book, I ended up writing him a letter and he wrote me back a letter of encouragement. It’s still one of my prized possessions. I truly believe he’s a special human being and more of us should take advantage of his perspectives. And if you’re a Atlas fan, you will enjoy his new podcast.