Items related to Black Ajax

Fraser Black Ajax ISBN 13: 9780006499817

Black Ajax - Softcover

 
9780006499817: Black Ajax
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 

In the spirit of Flashman and in the inimitable George MacDonald Fraser style comes a rousing story of prize fighting in the 19th century. Reissued in a stunning new package, Black Ajax will attract a new generation of fans.

When Captain Buck Flashman sees the black boxer catch a fly in mid-flight he realizes that he is in the presence of speed such as the prize ring has never seen. Tom Molineaux may be crude and untutored, but if ‘Mad Buck’ knows anything (and like his notorious son, the archcad Harry Flashman, he has an unerring eye for the main chance), this ex-slave from America is a Champion in the making, on whose broad shoulders the ambitious Captain can climb to sporting and social fame. Under his patronage, the ‘Black Ajax’ is carried on a popular tide of sporting fever to his great dream: to fight the invincible, undefeated Champion of England, the great Tom Cribb.

The story of Molineaux and his eventual battles with Cribb is told through a series of superbly original and individual voices – colourful, powerful and funny. Together they create a magnificent picture of Regency England and a portrait of a flawed hero who surmounted the barriers of ignorance, poverty and race hatred to bring the prize ring a lustre it had never known before, and may never again.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:
In Black Ajax, George MacDonald Fraser tells the story of a black man from the United States who nearly became England's champion boxer during the early 19th century. This historical novel is based on the true story of Tom Molineaux, a former slave who won his freedom in a boxing match, then travelled to England, refined his skills, and almost became the first black champ. The story is told by over a dozen witnesses to Molineaux's bouts with the reigning champion, Tom Cribb. Molineaux's trainer recalls the fighter's awe-inspiring strength and speed. A butler who asks to remain anonymous divulges information about the fighter's love affair with an English noblewoman. Molineaux's manager, a former slave and retired boxer, speaks bitterly of his disappointment in the youth for failing to prove to the English that a black man could be as capable a fighter as any white man. Nearly all the witnesses to the first match between the two fighters thought Molineaux lost mainly because the judges gave the white opponent an unfair advantage.

All the characters in this novel speak in 19th-century dialect, and it's diverting to try to decipher their many odd turns of phrase. For those who cannot determine the meanings of words such as "Spike Hotel", "toco", "winker", and "wistycastor" from context, the author provides a glossary at the end of the book. Unfortunately, almost all of the characters seem overly fond of using racial epithets, which draws attention to the shortcomings of this book. The main one is that Tom Molineaux, who undoubtedly was a complex, fascinating character, comes across as a stereotype here: a hulk with not many brains but a lot of sex drive. Although Fraser fails in that respect, this novel does vividly chronicle an intriguing episode in the history of sport and race relations. --Jill Marquis

Review:

‘Mr Fraser is a great historical novelist and in Black Ajax he is at the very top of his form. Damme if he ain’t.’
Christopher Matthew, Daily Mail

‘This is not a flashy novel, wearing its learning noisily. It’s rigorous, intelligent, meticulously horrifying. Wonderfully well done.’
Nicci Gerrard, Observer

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherHarperCollins
  • Publication date1998
  • ISBN 10 0006499813
  • ISBN 13 9780006499817
  • BindingPaperback
  • Edition number1
  • Number of pages256
  • Rating
Buy Used
Condition: Very Good
Connecting readers with great books... Learn more about this copy

Shipping: £ 2.99
Within U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Add to Basket

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780786706181: Black Ajax

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780786706181
Publisher: Carroll & Graf, 1999
Softcover

  • 9780002255851: Black Ajax

    Harper..., 1997
    Hardcover

  • 9780786705535: Black Ajax

    Carrol..., 1998
    Hardcover

  • 9780007303489: Black Ajax

    Harper, 2008
    Softcover

  • 9780708990056: Black Ajax (Charnwood Library)

    Charnw..., 1998
    Hardcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Fraser, George MacDonald
ISBN 10: 0006499813 ISBN 13: 9780006499817
Used paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
HPB Inc.
(Dallas, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_371224776

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 2.46
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: £ 2.99
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Fraser, George MacDonald
ISBN 10: 0006499813 ISBN 13: 9780006499817
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Better World Books
(Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP16793552

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 5.53
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Fraser, George MacDonald
ISBN 10: 0006499813 ISBN 13: 9780006499817
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Better World Books
(Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP26707542

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 5.53
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Fraser
ISBN 10: 0006499813 ISBN 13: 9780006499817
Used Paperback Quantity: 3
Seller:
WorldofBooks
(Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR000995015

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 0.80
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: £ 4.80
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

George MacDonald Fraser
Published by HarperCollins (2008)
ISBN 10: 0006499813 ISBN 13: 9780006499817
Used Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Ergodebooks
(Houston, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # SONG0006499813

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 7.40
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

George MacDonald Fraser
Published by HarperCollins 01/09/2008 (2008)
ISBN 10: 0006499813 ISBN 13: 9780006499817
Used Softcover Quantity: 2
Seller:
AwesomeBooks
(Wallingford, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780006499817

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 3.49
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: £ 4.49
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

George MacDonald Fraser
Published by Harper (1998)
ISBN 10: 0006499813 ISBN 13: 9780006499817
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:

Book Description Condition: Used - Very Good. 2008. Pap. Minor shelf-wear. Seller Inventory # SOL13590

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 5.13
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: £ 3.19
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

George MacDonald Fraser
Published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd (1998)
ISBN 10: 0006499813 ISBN 13: 9780006499817
Used Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Goldstone Books
(Llandybie, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. All orders are dispatched the following working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we have over 500,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0001722570

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 2.44
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: £ 5.99
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

George MacDonald Rsaser
Published by Harper Collins (1998)
ISBN 10: 0006499813 ISBN 13: 9780006499817
Used Paperback Quantity: 2
Seller:
Reuseabook
(Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Seller Inventory # CHL1032355

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 1.08
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: £ 7.37
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Fraser, George MacDonald
ISBN 10: 0006499813 ISBN 13: 9780006499817
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
MusicMagpie
(Stockport, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1701871293. 12/6/2023 2:01:33 PM. Seller Inventory # U9780006499817

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
£ 4.05
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: £ 5.49
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

There are more copies of this book

View all search results for this book