Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review“Fascinating . . . a highly lucid, very personal meditation on selfhood.” — NPR Books “Glistens with illuminations about courage and aging. The aim was self-transformation. Win or lose, it was mission accomplished.” — Wall Street Journal “A story of perilous becoming.” — Los Angeles Times “A book worth reading not only for those who enjoy MMA and other forms of professional fighting, but for those who are baffled as to why such a bloody sport would ever be appealing. . . . Rosenblatt’s observations about being a Jewish athlete are also quite timely.” — Salon “Rosenblatt offers much food for thought in this intellectual memoir blending sports and self-transformation.” — Library Journal “A very entertaining and informative chronicle of a quixotic journey of self-examination.” — Booklist “Over the last several years I’ve read quite a few books by thoughtful men and women about the lure of various forms of fighting. Josh Rosenblatt’s Why We Fight is much the best of this mini-genre.” — David Shields, author of The Thing About Life Is That One Day You’ll Be Dead “This is a terrific story—funny and scary and moving—as well as a thoughtful meditation on bravery, violence, pain, aging, and how getting hit in the face can change your life for the better.” — Paul Bloom, Yale University, author of Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion “‘But I was tired of myself, so I said yes.’ And thus begins Rosenblatt’s journey from chicken to beast. I loved this book mostly for its gorgeous restraint. It ain’t a macho brag but rather a piece of Old Testament prophecy. A clarion call advocating the importance of physicality.” — Chas Smith, author of Welcome to Paradise, Now Go to Hell: A True Story of Violence, Corruption, and the Soul of Surfing “Erudite.” — Publishers Weekly
