Items related to A Strong Collected Spirit: A Fighter's Memoir
Edward Gersh was a penniless New York University student when he entered the 1943 Golden Gloves tournament in Madison Square Garden. Fighting as "Eddie Irwin," Gersh won the heavyweight championship, contributing to the long and illustrious heritage of outstanding Jewish prize fighters.
After his World War II service, Gersh became the disciplinary dean in one of Spanish Harlem's toughest schools, a career that spanned seventeen years. Combining strict discipline with kindness, he won the enduring respect of students, staff, and community.
"My job was always a challenge, always different from day to day. I didn't know whether I'd be interviewing distressed parents in my office, visiting a truant child's home, confiscating weapons in the halls or preventing a gang fight on the schoolyard - and sometimes I had to identify bodies in the morgue."
While teaching in the mid-1950s, Gersh scraped together a few thousand dollars to establish a day camp in Huntington, Long Island, and began building his fortune in camping and real estate. Meanwhile, he served until the mid-1960s as a disciplinary dean - a career he stayed with because he loved it. In the early 1980s, now a millionaire, Gersh returned to another love - boxing - as the manager of talented, but often troubled, young fighters. Spending his own money freely, he took a roller-coaster ride in the fight game, experiencing both bitter disappointments and soaring triumphs - two of his fighters won world championships.
Gersh's high standards and ethics earned him a headline in the publication Boxing World: "Ed Gersh: A Manager who Brings Honor to the Boxing Profession."
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From the Back Cover:
In more ways than one, Edward Gersh took up the poet Virgil's challenge: "Whoever has courage and a strong, collected spirit in his breast, let him come forward, lace on the gloves, and put up his hands." A Strong Collected Spirit is the memoir of a life-long fighter, who rose from near-poverty to wealth and prominence in the often rough-and-tumble worlds of business, prize-fighting, and inner-city teaching.
About the Author:
Edward Gersh resides in Woodstock, N.Y., and Manhattan, and spends winters at his home in Boca Raton, Florida.
Stuart A.P. Murray, a former journalist, has written 35 books, including fiction, biography, and reference works. He lives in Berlin, New York.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherLILY BOOK
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 0964543338
- ISBN 13 9780964543331
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
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A Strong Collected Spirit: A Fighter's Memoir
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Brand: Lily Productions, Riverdale
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ISBN 10: 0964543338
ISBN 13: 9780964543331
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. First Edition. Product DescriptionEdward Gersh was a penniless New York University student when he entered the 1943 Golden Gloves tournament in Madison Square Garden. Fighting as "Eddie Irwin," Gersh won the heavyweight championship, contributing to the long and illustrious heritage of outstanding Jewish prize fighters.After his World War II service, Gersh became the disciplinary dean in one of Spanish Harlem's toughest schools, a career that spanned seventeen years. Combining strict discipline with kindness, he won the enduring respect of students, staff, and community."My job was always a challenge, always different from day to day. I didn't know whether I'd be interviewing distressed parents in my office, visiting a truant child's home, confiscating weapons in the halls or preventing a gang fight on the schoolyard - and sometimes I had to identify bodies in the morgue."While teaching in the mid-1950s, Gersh scraped together a few thousand dollars to establish a day camp in Huntington, Long Island, and began building his fortune in camping and real estate. Meanwhile, he served until the mid-1960s as a disciplinary dean - a career he stayed with because he loved it. In the early 1980s, now a millionaire, Gersh returned to another love - boxing - as the manager of talented, but often troubled, young fighters. Spending his own money freely, he took a roller-coaster ride in the fight game, experiencing both bitter disappointments and soaring triumphs - two of his fighters won world championships.Gersh's high standards and ethics earned him a headline in the publication Boxing World: "Ed Gersh: A Manager who Brings Honor to the Boxing Profession."From the Back CoverIn more ways than one, Edward Gersh took up the poet Virgil's challenge: "Whoever has courage and a strong, collected spirit in his breast, let him come forward, lace on the gloves, and put up his hands." A Strong Collected Spirit is the memoir of a life-long fighter, who rose from near-poverty to wealth and prominence in the often rough-and-tumble worlds of business, prize-fighting, and inner-city teaching.About the AuthorEdward Gersh resides in Woodstock, N.Y., and Manhattan, and spends winters at his home in Boca Raton, Florida.Stuart A.P. Murray, a former journalist, has written 35 books, including fiction, biography, and reference works. He lives in Berlin, New York.Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.PrologueROAD RAGE IN BOCAEdward Gersh was enjoying a fine spring day in March of 2000 as he eased his new Lexus through the busy traffic of Florida's State Road 441. The car radio played softly, old standards, and the tinted windows and air conditioning kept South Florida's heat at bay. A robust 80 years of age, and as fit as a man twenty years younger, Gersh was heading to his home in the gated community of St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton.The Lexus stopped for a traffic light, where a construction barrier just ahead made the highway's three lanes merge into two. When the light turned green, the cars advanced slowly, taking alternate turns moving into the narrower roadway. Then came Gersh's turn, but another car suddenly pushed in from the right and cut him off, forcing him to jam on the brakes.Annoyed, Gersh rolled down the passenger window and called out, "What's the matter with you? It's my turn to go."The other driver, a middle-aged, heavyset fellow, yelled back, "Aw, go to hell!"Gersh seethed with anger. Shortly, both cars turned right onto another road, and Gersh decided to annoy this guy a bit. The Lexus passed and then cut sharply in front of the other car, without using directionals. Soon, Gersh was back in the left lane with the other car alongside at the right, the driver yelling and cursing at him.Gersh rolled down the window again and hurled an expletive of his own.The other driver shouted, "Get out of your car and say that to me!""Okay!" Gersh answered, and pulled over onto the shoulder.The other car followed, Seller Inventory # DADAX0964543338
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