There are some moments of mind melting insight, boldly visceral imagery, and bits of fascinating MMA history rife throughout this book but it ultimately falls short of being “great” and lands itself in the territory of the “good”. And this is why I round the book up to 4 stars.more This is a level of wisdom not normally available to many athletes even after years of training. I was particularly impressed when he describes how martial arts training helps align the mind, body and spirit, teaches a fighter to manage their emotions and defend themselves from threats. Towards the end, Merlino mentions how through the months of his research, he acquired a number of wisdom from the veterans of the sport. The other half a point was deducted because the book zig-zags between the lives of 3 athletes and made it rather confusing for me at the start. Why would he not think that WMMA is a vital part of MMA? Does he believe a woman cannot be a BEAST? This is a huge sore point for me. HELL NO! WMMA has been around several years prior to the publishing of his book (2015). Aside from a brief mention of Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate, all other women in his book played the clichéd role of girlfriend, wives and mums. I deducted one star for one very large aspect of MMA he had failed to include in his book - Women's MMA (WMMA). Overall I felt that he presented an all rounded view of MMA.
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The book goes on to explore many facets of the sport including the physical and emotional backstories of various athletes, a brief history of the sport, wages and challenges of being a professional fighter onward to how the career can terminate for some of them. He then brings in the opposing view of how each fighter are presented as warriors that embodies civilised virtues such as courage, hard work and honour. He begins by introducing the sport from a layman's perspective - how cage fighting normally appears like a barbaric activity to an outsider.
He begins by introducing the sport from a layman's perspective - how cage fighting norma By default, if a writer can describe the sport of MMA in an objective manner and is capable of bringing into light all aspects of MMA, the good, the bad, the misunderstood without the interjection of personal judgements, the book will be a 5 star for me.ĭoug Merlino, an established sports journalist presents this book and its several stories in a simple and effective style. Doug Merlino, an established sports journalist presents this book and its several stories in a simple and effective style. A book for both the uninitiated and the hard-core fan, Beast offers a fascinating journey into an often misunderstood world.moreīy default, if a writer can describe the sport of MMA in an objective manner and is capable of bringing into light all aspects of MMA, the good, the bad, the misunderstood without the interjection of personal judgements, the book will be a 5 star for me. All will experience electrifying highs and career lows, and Merlino takes us along every step of the way while also examining the culture and meaning of professional cage fighting. Finally there's Daniel Straus, who, from a life short on opportunity, fights his way up to title contention. Steve Mocco is a newcomer-a former Olympic wrestler from a close-knit intellectual family.
Jeff Monson, a battered veteran at forty-one, is an outspoken, tattooed anarchist enjoying a bizarre burst of celebrity in Russia. Mirsad Bektic, a young Bosnian refugee who started in karate as a boy in Nebraska, dreams of stardom. Doug Merlino had unprecedented access, training alongside the men for two years, traveling to their matches, and eating in their homes. But MMA also takes a heavy toll on the body, and it's a rare fighter who can earn a living in the sport's top ranks.īeast follows four high-level fighters at one of the sport's elite gyms, Florida's American Top Team. Although some dismiss it as brutal combat, its fighters are among the most dedicated athletes in any arena. B Mixed martial arts is America's fastest-growing sport-around the country, new gyms open their doors and enthusiastic viewers tune in to UFC matches. But MMA also takes a heavy toll on the body, and it's a rare fighter who can earn a living in the sport's top ranks. Mixed martial arts is America's fastest-growing sport-around the country, new gyms open their doors and enthusiastic viewers tune in to UFC matches.