speaking of fat city

I ran across this item when I Googled Leonard Gardner. It turns out not only boxing-fans-who-are-also-masters-of-arts dig his book. Denis Johnson, a wonderful writer in his own right, the author of a terrific story collections "Angels" and "Jesus' Son" (a rather disappointing movie starring Billy Crudup), tells Salon that Gardner was his original hero. One thing's for sure, Johnson is dead-on when he says Gardner can flat out write. This short, poignant, brutal book is far too good to have gone out of print. Luckily it's back, but you'll probably have to get somebody Stateside to send out a used copy for you. I sure as hell ain't selling mine.