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2 opere 91 membri 21 recensioni

Sull'Autore

Doug Merlino has contributed to Slate, Wired, Men's Journal, the Seattle Times, and many other publications. He received master's degrees in journalism and international affairs from the University of California at Berkeley. He lives in New York City with his wife. His Web site is mostra altro www.dougmerlino.net. mostra meno

Opere di Doug Merlino

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A very readable combination of sports memoir and exploration of racial/class differences in Seattle. It was interesting to read in at the same time as The Warmth of Other Suns.
 
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tsmom1219 | 18 altre recensioni | Feb 24, 2022 |
We follow the training and fights of four mixed martial artists from American Top Team, a top mma gym, for two years. The four athletes are from different backgrounds and at different stages in their careers: "Mirsad Bektic, a young Bosnian refugee who started in karate as a boy in Nebraska, dreams of stardom. Jeff Monson, a battered veteran at forty-one, is an outspoken, tattooed anarchist enjoying a bizarre burst of celebrity in Russia. Steve Mocco is a newcomer--a former Olympic wrestler from a close-knit intellectual family. Finally there's Daniel Straus, who, from a life short on opportunity, fights his way up to title contention." They also embody different training and general lifestyles, with the veteran Monson being the most colorful character. He is also a tragic one, continually taking new fights and not accepting that his body, at 41, has started to decline. The book gives a good view of how varying the MMA scene and its practitioners are, and of the dangers of their profession. It is also clear on how demanding, like many other sports at the elite level, this profession is, something that is underlined by the title, where the word "Beast" is probably used somewhat ironically, ref. this paragraph towards the end: "The fighters, the good ones, knew that for all the strength they might have one day, the advantage may shift to their opponent the next time. These were men who trained six days a week, for years, to reach where they were. They had family and friends behind them, a team, a coaching staff-even, in the case of American Top Team, a financial benefactor. No one was really a beast. There were no superhuman powers. Everything was training, preparation, will, discipline, controlled aggression at the right moment. And ultimately, the making of champions happened in the quieter moments. It wasn't just how hard you could punch, kick, or strangle someone, but how much you could sit with your fear and uncertainty and still keep going." Recommended.… (altro)
½
 
Segnalato
ohernaes | 1 altra recensione | Nov 25, 2017 |
Beast tells the stories of four MMA fighters at differing points in their respective careers. Jeff Monson, a battle worn veteran looking to go out on a high that becomes ever more elusive the longer he continues; Mirsad Bektic, a hyped featherweight prospect who fled war torn Bosnia as a child; Daniel Straus, an ex-con, now Bellator title contender, trying to move away his past and support himself and his family; and Steve Mocco, a celebrated wrestler looking to move into professional MMA and test his mettle against the best. All four train out of the illustrious American Top Team based in Florida and we also follow coaches from the team as they assist and cajole the above fighters in their quests.

Using four stories instead of one really captures the various stages of a successful MMA path from starting out to prospect to contender to aging veteran struggling to let go and not knowing what career there is after fighting. Merlino also includes potted roots of MMA and UFC histories to give a broader spectrum and visits the issues of fighter pay and the chasm between the reality of being a fighter and the portrayal in promotional packages.

The great thing about this book is that it's accessible to the hardcore fan or the newcomer. There's no overwhelming glut of technical data and it's full of interesting tidbits including the fact the Gracies are descended from Scottish immigrants. This really reignited my passion for MMA, which is something that's been more than a sport to me as it triggered my ambition to get healthier and shed a lot of extra weight I'd put on. Living in the UK and having a son who's approaching the terrible twos it's hard to give up sleep/vast amounts of time to watching fights like I used to be able to, so I'm maybe just catching main events here and there when I can. This book reminded me of everything that goes on behind that and the work and struggles that not just these four, but every fighter must go through.

It's a sport that will continue to grow with new superstars cropping up and creeping further in the mainstream media (see Ronda Rousey hosting SNL). This book is the perfect place to learn/expand knowledge on this sport, which as the book highlights is as much psychological as it is about skill.

I look forward to whatever project Merlino gets into next as his writing here is excellent with some chapters/sections being structured in unique ways and he shows a clear attachment to those he's covering that make this more than just straight reporting.
… (altro)
 
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tummidge1 | 1 altra recensione | Feb 2, 2016 |
Questa recensione è stata scritta per Recensori in anteprima di LibraryThing.
I put off reading this book longer than I should have -- I've worked and lived in the Bronx all my adult lives, and this book absolutely rings true.

I found this well written, and interesting
½
 
Segnalato
sdunford | 18 altre recensioni | Sep 6, 2012 |

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Opere
2
Utenti
91
Popolarità
#204,136
Voto
½ 3.7
Recensioni
21
ISBN
7

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