The Fight of His Life

“An enlightening portrait of a beloved athlete’s evolving social consciousness.... A terrific new biography."—Minnesota Star Tribune

“The Fight of His Life: Joe Louis's Battle for Freedom During World War II arrives as the Trump administration has erased diversity programs in the military and scrubbed government websites that promoted inclusion—echoing the same struggles Louis faced eight decades ago.” —AXIOS

“A groundbreaking look at a boxing champion’s antidiscrimination efforts.”—Kirkus (starred)

“A sharp, hard-hitting, beautifully written account of one of the greatest sports figures in all American history. The Fight of His Life is a book worthy of its subject—and when the subject is Joe Louis, that’s a monumental achievement.”—Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of King: A Life

“The Fight of His Life is not only elegantly written, it shatters the Uncle Tom stereotypes often inaccurately attached to boxing legend Joe Louis. With compelling detail, Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith show how the Army changed Joe Louis, who emerged from fighting fascism in World War II with a deeper commitment to battling racism in America.”—David Maraniss, Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter

“Historians Johnny Smith and Randy Roberts have done it again, writing a remarkable book about an iconic American athlete. Joe Louis's battles within and beyond the boxing ring highlight the contradictions and complexities of our country during World War II. Louis inspired a generation of Americans and this page-turner brings his story to life for a new generation.”—Matthew F. Delmont, author of Half American

“This new biography of boxer Joe Louis makes the most thorough and detailed case for Louis as an independent political voice and race leader during World War II. He was not simply a crossover racial symbol but a highly self-aware Black American, who understood what he represented as a transnational Black hero who beat up white men in the prize ring. This book offers the richest account of Louis's army years and his fight against Jim Crow on American military bases. A compelling and informative read, The Fight of His Life restores Louis to the front ranks of historically important Black athletes of the 20th century, a man who pointedly contested the racism of his time.”—Gerald Early, Washington University in St. Louis