Last on His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century Hardcover - 2023

From the rear cover

"Last On His Feet is not only a testament to the incredibly complex life of Jack Johnson, but it's also an example of how some stories require more than straight-ahead prose. How some lives can only be captured by the ballet of poetry and razor-sharp imagery, especially a life as beautiful and brutal as Johnson's. Matejka and Daoudi rise to the occasion and turn a tale about one of the most courageous and controversial champions, into an experience so immersive you can almost smell blood and sweat coming from the pages. This is a masterpiece."
--Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"With action, suspense, and introspection, Last On His Feet provides the reader a front row seat to the 'Fight of the Century.' A riveting tale of physical triumph against the backdrop of racism at the turn of the 20th century; a must-read for sport and history fans alike."
--Andrew Aydin, coauthor of March and Run

"A powerful work -- no gimmicks, straightforward narrative with a timeless appeal, beautifully lyrical. Jack Johnson knew his place in this world and liked the finer things in life. He carved inroads to success with fists of righteous anger and keen business sense in a time when the odds were overwhelmingly stacked against someone like him. But if you think Jack Johnson would bend the knee -- then you don't know Jack!"
--Wilfred Santiago, author of 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente

Media reviews

Citations

• Kirkus Reviews, 01/01/2023, Page 0
• Library Journal, 12/01/2022, Page 102
• Library Journal Prepub Alert, 09/01/2022, Page 21
• Publishers Weekly, 01/16/2023, Page 0