My Life in the Ring and Out

The first African American to win the world heavyweight championship, Jack Johnson (1878–1946) was the preeminent American sports personality of his era. Holder of the title from 1908 to 1915, Johnson continued to box professionally until he was in his 60s. His 1910 victory over the formerly undefeated champion James J. Jeffries in "The Fight of the Century" triggered race riots across the country, and racial bias fueled the clamor for his defeat by a "Great White Hope." Johnson was a cultural lightning rod whose professional success and lavish lifestyle attracted both admiration and envy. In this witty and sophisticated memoir, he recounts without bitterness the prejudice, controversies, and scandals that dogged his public and private lives.
Johnson was well known for his exploits beyond the boxing world, and he offers vivid accounts of his international adventures as a bullfighter, race car driver, cabaret entertainer, and spy. His outrageous feats include rescuing a passenger train from murderous bandits in Mexico, chasing a kangaroo across the Australian outback, walking away from five fiery car crashes, and surviving revolutions in Spain, Brazil, Cuba, and elsewhere. The only edition of Johnson's autobiography currently in print, this volume features 16 full-page illustrations and an introductory article by Damon Runyon.

Jack Johnson (1878–1946) was the first African American heavyweight boxer, holding the title from 1908 to 1915. His 1910 victory over the formerly undefeated champion James J. Jeffries in "The Fight of the Century" triggered race riots across the country. Johnson continued to box professionally until he was in his 60s.

Foreword by Ed. W. Smith...1Foreword by J. B. Lewis...2Keeping Pace with Jack Johnson by Tad...11Jack Johnson Could Fight...by Damon Runyon...14My Husband by Mrs. Jack Johnson...16 I. I Take My Pen in Hand...21II. A Stowaway...27III. Breaking In...37IV. Fighting to the Top...56V. Romances and Regrets...70VI. Exile...89VII. The World Through Prison Bars...123VIII. Adventures on Highways and Byways...140IX. Chasing the Champion...155X. The Great Jeffries Bows...169XI. Challengers...188XII. The Frame-Up for Freedom...197XIII. Reflections on Life and on Living...204XIV. Looking at Life at Fifty...228Appendix--My Fighting Life--A Chronology...257