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bryce_is_a_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
An even handed, incisive biography marred by an inexplicably tone deaf, incurious chapter on Brown's time in Hollywood.
Zirin only focuses on Brown's bad films, ignoring both the likes of his early intriguing collaborations with Gene Hackman, as well as his latter day career as a character actor for the likes of Spike Lee and Tim Burton.
What's worse is he projects an air of general incuriousity and ignorance on films outside of Brown's career, such as when he laments the way that white directors molded the images of black actors in films, specifically citing Blacula and Avenging Disco Godfather. Two films that happen to have Black Directors.
Copy Editors may I suggest you do your fucking jobs??
Zirin only focuses on Brown's bad films, ignoring both the likes of his early intriguing collaborations with Gene Hackman, as well as his latter day career as a character actor for the likes of Spike Lee and Tim Burton.
What's worse is he projects an air of general incuriousity and ignorance on films outside of Brown's career, such as when he laments the way that white directors molded the images of black actors in films, specifically citing Blacula and Avenging Disco Godfather. Two films that happen to have Black Directors.
Copy Editors may I suggest you do your fucking jobs??
dsheffield206's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
3.5
reasie's review against another edition
4.0
How do you admire a hero and disagree with him? How do you keep admiring him for his accomplishments when his flaws keep hurting others? These are the central themes of this nuanced biography of Jim Brown. Star athlete, leading man, fighter for the poor and incarcerated, macho man and abuser of women.
His politics feel complex but are simple: he is a classic conservative, interested in small government and personal wealth. He just also happens to be black and know that racism is a thing and isn't afraid to speak out about it. A darling of conservatives like Nixon when he spoke against integration, a hero to liberals when he fought mandatory minimum sentences. These aren't contradictions, in both cases he's against government enforcement, for freedom of the individual. I don't doubt there are libertarians looking to him as an example, too.
I dunno... it's hard for me, as a feminist and a staunch leftist, but I still admire the guy for what he did do for gang members, and for being a symbol of strength, exceptionalism, and of a Cleveland that won championships. The same unbending masculinity that makes him hard to deal with is how he achieved all the good things in his life.
It's not that heroes have dark sides... sometimes what makes a hero is dark. It is a compelling fact of human character that deserves critical analysis.
Now, on to the book instead of the picture it plaints of the man. In general I enjoyed the way Zirin introduces the context of the times in each chapter, and presents firsthand opinions that contradict each other to give us a nuanced and detailed take. I got angry, though, when the Hough Riots were presented uncritically as white media slanted it at the time. The stories I've gotten, from people who lived there, and from the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, reject the stale narrative that black people were violent and white people acted out of 'fear'. Fear of not being dominant, maybe. I... I'm going to launch my own rant... anyway... he coulda put more research into that, but it wasn't the focus of the book, just a hot button issue for me.
Each chapter begins with a second person section inviting the reader to enter the mindset of a prominent figure in Jim Brown's story. For the most part this is a delightful exercise, but I am never going to forgive this man for making me read the words "You are Art Modell."
His politics feel complex but are simple: he is a classic conservative, interested in small government and personal wealth. He just also happens to be black and know that racism is a thing and isn't afraid to speak out about it. A darling of conservatives like Nixon when he spoke against integration, a hero to liberals when he fought mandatory minimum sentences. These aren't contradictions, in both cases he's against government enforcement, for freedom of the individual. I don't doubt there are libertarians looking to him as an example, too.
I dunno... it's hard for me, as a feminist and a staunch leftist, but I still admire the guy for what he did do for gang members, and for being a symbol of strength, exceptionalism, and of a Cleveland that won championships. The same unbending masculinity that makes him hard to deal with is how he achieved all the good things in his life.
It's not that heroes have dark sides... sometimes what makes a hero is dark. It is a compelling fact of human character that deserves critical analysis.
Now, on to the book instead of the picture it plaints of the man. In general I enjoyed the way Zirin introduces the context of the times in each chapter, and presents firsthand opinions that contradict each other to give us a nuanced and detailed take. I got angry, though, when the Hough Riots were presented uncritically as white media slanted it at the time. The stories I've gotten, from people who lived there, and from the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, reject the stale narrative that black people were violent and white people acted out of 'fear'. Fear of not being dominant, maybe. I... I'm going to launch my own rant... anyway... he coulda put more research into that, but it wasn't the focus of the book, just a hot button issue for me.
Each chapter begins with a second person section inviting the reader to enter the mindset of a prominent figure in Jim Brown's story. For the most part this is a delightful exercise, but I am never going to forgive this man for making me read the words "You are Art Modell."
meghan_is_reading's review against another edition
#bookclub4m nonfiction entertainment genre
My god that was a tough read in spots. I picked this up because I thought "sports star to actor? Sure that sounds like the entertainment industry" but of course with a Black man during a tumultuous time in the United States, ongoing protests going on right now, and the history of domestic abuse and rage in a time of #metoo this all feels very current.
Brown was a hard man with a hardline on life. Zirin pulls out the complicated interaction of toxic masculinity, civil rights, and the history of the United States in a really engaging way. How do you deal with a person who forces introspection in gang members to lead them out of crime but refuses to admit to his own flaws? Complains that Black althetes don't do enough to lift up their communities and then disparages political protest like kneeling during the anthem? Supports Trump because the man promises support for Black business? In any case, the reader comes out with a real appreciation for how much difference there was and is as to the conversation around the best way to bring equality to Black communities in the United States.
My god that was a tough read in spots. I picked this up because I thought "sports star to actor? Sure that sounds like the entertainment industry" but of course with a Black man during a tumultuous time in the United States, ongoing protests going on right now, and the history of domestic abuse and rage in a time of #metoo this all feels very current.
Brown was a hard man with a hardline on life. Zirin pulls out the complicated interaction of toxic masculinity, civil rights, and the history of the United States in a really engaging way. How do you deal with a person who forces introspection in gang members to lead them out of crime but refuses to admit to his own flaws? Complains that Black althetes don't do enough to lift up their communities and then disparages political protest like kneeling during the anthem? Supports Trump because the man promises support for Black business? In any case, the reader comes out with a real appreciation for how much difference there was and is as to the conversation around the best way to bring equality to Black communities in the United States.
cozylifewithabby's review
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, Gun violence, and Domestic abuse
lmdo's review
4.0
Before reading this book, I knew nothing about Jim Brown. I didn't even know about his existence, but I also happen to be someone interested in the intersection of sports and politics, as explained by Dave Zirin. I left this book with both a better understanding of Brown and the NFL, alongside the civil rights movement in the US and how toxic masculinity plays out in another sphere.
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