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The Prizefighter and the Playwright: Gene Tunney and George Bernard Shaw

With The Prizefighter and the Playwright: Gene Tunney and George Bernard Shaw, Jay R. Tunney chronicles the unusual friendship between the world heavyweight-boxing champion and the world-famous playwright.

Gene Tunney, the world heavyweight-boxing champion from 1926 to 1928, seemed an unusual companion for George Bernard Shaw, but Shaw found the Irish-American athlete to be “among the very few for whom I have established a warm affection.”

Tunney was 40 years younger and the men could not have occupied more different worlds. Yet it is clear that these two famous men, comfortable on the world stage, longed for friendship when they were out of the celebrity spotlight. Jay R. Tunney discusses the unique relationship that formed between this celebrated odd couple.

Jay R. Tunney is the son of the famous fighter, and his book, The Prize Fighter and the Playwright, is a beautifully woven and often surprising biography of the two men. The book evolved from the acclaimed BBC radio program “The Master and the Boy.”

Introduction by Miriam Nyhan, Faculty Fellow of Irish Studies at NYU. Prof. Nyhan’s publications include ‘Are You Still Below?’ The Ford Marina Plant, Cork 1917-1984.

$10 for non-members. RSVP to 212-998-3950 (option 3) or email [email protected].











When: Thu., Mar. 29, 2012 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Where: Glucksman Ireland House NYU
1 Washington Mews
212-998-3950
Price:
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With The Prizefighter and the Playwright: Gene Tunney and George Bernard Shaw, Jay R. Tunney chronicles the unusual friendship between the world heavyweight-boxing champion and the world-famous playwright.

Gene Tunney, the world heavyweight-boxing champion from 1926 to 1928, seemed an unusual companion for George Bernard Shaw, but Shaw found the Irish-American athlete to be “among the very few for whom I have established a warm affection.”

Tunney was 40 years younger and the men could not have occupied more different worlds. Yet it is clear that these two famous men, comfortable on the world stage, longed for friendship when they were out of the celebrity spotlight. Jay R. Tunney discusses the unique relationship that formed between this celebrated odd couple.

Jay R. Tunney is the son of the famous fighter, and his book, The Prize Fighter and the Playwright, is a beautifully woven and often surprising biography of the two men. The book evolved from the acclaimed BBC radio program “The Master and the Boy.”

Introduction by Miriam Nyhan, Faculty Fellow of Irish Studies at NYU. Prof. Nyhan’s publications include ‘Are You Still Below?’ The Ford Marina Plant, Cork 1917-1984.

$10 for non-members. RSVP to 212-998-3950 (option 3) or email [email protected].

Buy tickets/get more info now