…Onto the game board, which consists of one set of triangles from an article on Jim Thorpe, with the others from a photo of Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta. Not only was Jim Thorpe one of the greatest and most versatile athletes of all time, but the town named after him is 40 mins. from where I grew up. It always has to be about me, doesn’t it? Anyway, it’s a really cool looking town that’s been called the Switzerland of America. As far as Sugar Ray and Jake go, I remember watching that fight, in the movie Raging Bull anyway. Scorsese’s one of my favorite directors, but this isn’t one of my favorite boxing movies, though it’s excellent. Among my top are Rocky, Cinderella Man, and Bleed for This. I guess the boxers in those come off as more heroic than Jake LaMotta did.

By Zander Hollander. Published 1972

Book Size: 8 1/4″ x 11 1/4″ x 7/8″

Features:

-Magnetized boards for maximum mobility (coupled with the following)

-The checkers are washers for maximum replaceability (they often go AWOL)

-Considering the above, they’re perfect for travel abroad…conveniently play backgammon or stow your passport, etc. (room safes are targeted more frequently than books)