Sweet Thunder: The Life and Times of Sugar Ray Robinson (Borzoi Books)
"Haygood's book is certainly one of the best biographies of a boxer ever written . . . an important contribution to both sports literature and African American studies."-Gerald Early,Washington Post ". . . Thoroughly marvelous . . ."-Tim Rutten,Los Angeles Times "Mr. Haygood captures his grace and power, at many disparate moments, as well as it’s been captured . . . Mr. Haygood . . . is a biographer in his own prime."-Dwight Garner,New York Times ". . . an ambitious portrait of an American legend."-Pete Hamill,Sunday Times ". . . insightful, highly readable . . . A wonderful book that deserves a wide audience."-Kirkus Reviews "Haygood's excellent account of Robinson's long, eventful life . . .is packed with anecdotes and lush, pertinent context."-Katherine Dunn,Bookforum "Wil Haygood's new biography of Robinson . . .is about as fine a book about a boxer as you will find . . . Who is, pound for pound, the best fighter of all time? Robinson is always in that conversation. And should the topic ever pivot to the best writers about the sport, Haygood should be, too."-Henry C. Jackson,Associated Press ". . . a compelling, often brilliant biography."-Rege Behe,Pittsburg Tribune "Haygood was born to the task . . . a portrayal that resonates with the guts, glitter and gravitas that his subject merits."-Bijan C. Bayne,The Bay State Banner "This book is a wonderful mix of reporting and grace, inspired by the thunder and speed of a much forgotten champion. Deeply researched, superbly written, thankfully devoid of dripping sentimentality, Wil Haygood takes an old broom to Harlem history and sweeps out the corners. This is the boxer we never knew."-James McBride, author ofThe Color of Water"The best is always fragile, Sugar Ray Robinson once said, and it took a writer of Wil Haygood's magnificence to appreciate what this meant in bringing the great boxer back to life. Sweet Thunder is a jewel from beginning to end."-David Maraniss, author ofWhen Pride Still MatteredandRome 1960"Finally, a biography worthy of a great athlete and social force, Sugar Ray Robinson."-Larry Merchant,HBO World Championship Boxing