What do you think?
Rate this book
The Great White Hope: A Play
Tragic Drama / 8 male, 3 female, extras w/doubling Winner of Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award! "A great part a tragic hero, cheated, degraded, and at last brutally beaten. Mr. Sackler has used his hero, a figure based on the first Black heavyweight champion of the world, Jack Johnson (played by James Earl Jones), as a symbol in part of Black aspiration...Has an epic scope and range...It picks up the Johnson story soon after the Australian day in 1908 when Johnson whipped Tommy Burns and takes it to Havana in 1915, when Jess Willard, the Great White Hope, won it back for the Whites at least for a time."-The New York Times "A highly theatrical and hugely rewarding evening."-Daily News "Great theatre. Broadway at its very best."-Associated Press
Paperback
First published November 17, 2010
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Read
July 6, 2020Howard Sackler wrote the play “The Great White Hope” in 1967. “The term, "the great white hope," reflects the racism and segregation of the era in which [Jack] Johnson fought. Johnson, the first African American to hold the World Heavyweight Championship title, was the best fighter of his generation.” Jack Johnson held the title from 1908 to 1915. (Wikipedia)
Read more about Jack Johnson from NPR.
The play’s protagonist is Jack Jefferson, who after winning the World Heavyweight Boxing title, eventually flees the US because of fabricated convictions against him. A group of shady newspaper men, former boxing champs, managers, lawyers, and FBI agents scheme together to either put Jefferson in prison or find a “new white hope”, a white guy who can beat Jefferson in a fight. They try to make the case that his fiance, a white woman, is like a prostitute, and he is transporting a prostitute across state borders.
While Jefferson is in Europe with his fiance, he tries to arrange fights and make a living. Barely any boxers will face him and he is frustrated, losing money, and can’t be with his mom when she dies. Still he calls out discrimination and people who stand by doing nothing. The FBI agents and boxing managers offer many times that if Jefferson comes home and loses a fight on purpose, they will lessen his sentence. His fiance and him have an argument and break up about his decision to decline these offers and not return to the status quo. When his fiance kills herself, Jefferson concedes to a rigged fight with the new white hope and loses.
I was shocked by the number of things Jefferson gave up to not concede to racist white men. He was more determined than the twisted men who abused their power to accomplish their agenda. These white men talked about their fear of a large number of black Americans having social conscience and organizing. (other white men still fretted about this in the 60s when this play was written) The book also shows a lot of disagreement from the characters in the book who are black about society, religion, and the right reaction to barriers created by white society. In this book, some characters who were also black criticized Jefferson’s noncompliance with social norms for blacks at that time (e.g. flaunting wealth, having an interracial relationship).
I think this play is still relevant because of Jefferson’s very strong individualism. He could have benefited from conceding to pressures from white and black people. He would have had opportunities to help people he cared about if he sacrificed part of his pride. Jack Jefferson advocated for each person to challenge collective control and believe in theirself.
Read more about Jack Johnson from NPR.
The play’s protagonist is Jack Jefferson, who after winning the World Heavyweight Boxing title, eventually flees the US because of fabricated convictions against him. A group of shady newspaper men, former boxing champs, managers, lawyers, and FBI agents scheme together to either put Jefferson in prison or find a “new white hope”, a white guy who can beat Jefferson in a fight. They try to make the case that his fiance, a white woman, is like a prostitute, and he is transporting a prostitute across state borders.
While Jefferson is in Europe with his fiance, he tries to arrange fights and make a living. Barely any boxers will face him and he is frustrated, losing money, and can’t be with his mom when she dies. Still he calls out discrimination and people who stand by doing nothing. The FBI agents and boxing managers offer many times that if Jefferson comes home and loses a fight on purpose, they will lessen his sentence. His fiance and him have an argument and break up about his decision to decline these offers and not return to the status quo. When his fiance kills herself, Jefferson concedes to a rigged fight with the new white hope and loses.
I was shocked by the number of things Jefferson gave up to not concede to racist white men. He was more determined than the twisted men who abused their power to accomplish their agenda. These white men talked about their fear of a large number of black Americans having social conscience and organizing. (other white men still fretted about this in the 60s when this play was written) The book also shows a lot of disagreement from the characters in the book who are black about society, religion, and the right reaction to barriers created by white society. In this book, some characters who were also black criticized Jefferson’s noncompliance with social norms for blacks at that time (e.g. flaunting wealth, having an interracial relationship).
I think this play is still relevant because of Jefferson’s very strong individualism. He could have benefited from conceding to pressures from white and black people. He would have had opportunities to help people he cared about if he sacrificed part of his pride. Jack Jefferson advocated for each person to challenge collective control and believe in theirself.
February 21, 2024
I first saw this as a movie and later as a play by Howard Sackler won the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for its stage production on Broadway. Truly, this is a modernized Greek tragedy of incredible depth and heart. The tragic hero here is Jack Jefferson. a figure based on Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Jack Johnson is a proud and driven man who won the boxing title of the world in the early-1900s. The man comes across as individualistic man who has withstood hatred, death threats, and verbal abuse as he aspires to be the champion. The citizens hate the fact that a black man could come so far. He is seen as a threat to their world. “The Great White Hope” term refers to the white boxer who came out retirement to stop this talented Black boxer. Although Jack Johnson (nee-Jefferson) was considered the 'best' boxer of the time, he was not wanted as the champion, which he did become from 1908 to 1915. The play specifically focuses on his defense of the World Heavyweight Boxing title after he beats the 'first' "great white hope', a former champion. As the champion, he finds nobody of caliber will box him. Finally, at the prodding of a group of gamblers, boxing promoters, newspaper men, and politicians, he is given a championship defense fight. Jefferson also must contend with legal charges that his white 'fiancee' is actually a prostitute whom he is transporting across state lines. Jefferson is given an 'out' if he promises to lose the fight, the charges and attacks on his character will stop. A tragedy forces him to make a hard decision concerning the fight in Reno, Nevada. His ultimate decision goes against his moral compass and in the end, his livelihood. Jefferson's individualism makes him a controversial figure when he refuses to be a figurehead for the black people. His refusal to fall on his pride was a reflection of his belief that each man must stand up for himself.
July 12, 2017
This was loosely based on the story of Jack Johnson, the first African-American world heavyweight champion. Johnson infuriated whites by roundly drubbing every white boxer he fought. He also dated white women, a taboo into the early 20th century. Eventually authorities charged Johnson with violating the Mann Act, for which there was little evidence and is recognized as having been motivated by racism.
The play uses all of this as a frame for its story, and makes it a compelling one, though it is highly fictionalized. Sackler renames the character "Jack Jefferson", allowing him that license...and it is a play, after all.
The play was made into a film that earned James Earl Jones an Academy Award "Best Actor" nomination. I haven't seen it...but now I want to.
The play uses all of this as a frame for its story, and makes it a compelling one, though it is highly fictionalized. Sackler renames the character "Jack Jefferson", allowing him that license...and it is a play, after all.
The play was made into a film that earned James Earl Jones an Academy Award "Best Actor" nomination. I haven't seen it...but now I want to.
April 14, 2022
I personally don’t love the idea of authors-playwrights or otherwise but playwrights especially-writing the dialects into their dialogue. I also found that this story doesn’t do the real story it was based justice; while I can wholeheartedly appreciate making adjustments in a fictionalization of a story I found that, having known the story of Jack Johnson whose story this is based on, to me the adjustments made don’t do the story-or the people the characters are based on-any favors.
August 7, 2017
Excruciating to read. Will try to watch the film. I'm sure I missed so much just figuring out the dialogue since so much is captured phonetically.
May 26, 2015
May 26, 2015 Review: Well, I did add this to the mix of plays we read recently at SUNY Sullivan in consideration for the 2015-2016 Season. I wanted to hear it aloud to see if it was too dated or not. I'm still on the fence about that because I only had three readers that night and we were switching roles too much to let me really hear it. The director in me loves this monster. I want to see how I could play with its crazy jump cuts and language use, but...it is a monster of a play. Lots of characters, lots of themes, lots of scenery...ugh! I (almost) want to deconstruct it, but...it wasn't chosen...and, frankly, thank god! It did get a lot of votes, so...I think the theme and plot are of interest to my viewing community here in Sullivan County, NY, so...I probably shouldn't drop it. There is a new play called THE ROYALE, by Marco Ramirez (of THE ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK fame), that I want to get my hands on that deals with the same subject, but the performance rights were not available, so...I'm going to have to wait. So...Jack Johnson will have his day again, someday, in my directing world...
From playbillvault.com: "African-American boxing champion Jack Jefferson, who is loosely modeled on his real-life counterpart, Jack Johnson, suffers racism due to his success and his relationship with a white woman, in Howard Sackler's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama."
September 27, 2014 Review: I have given myself the project of reading every African-American-themed play or playwright I can get my hands on because most of my current students are African-American. It's not that I don't have a good handle on that niche part of what I do, but...I want to expand what I know, especially to help them find audition monologues and scene work.
I have had this play for a while and have intended on reading it, but...life always gets in the way. The reason I had intended on reading it is because I had had a graduate seminar by Jane Alexander and had read her autobiography before the seminar, and this play was mentioned as one of the ones that made her famous. It did so because it was produced in the '60s and starred herself and James Earl Jones, and the politics of miscegenation at the time of its production and the docudrama aspect of the plot of the play, definitely hit a sore nerve, and as anyone in show business knows...all press is good press.
Anyway, I also have a thing for boxing. I don't know if it was because I was a child of the '80s and '90s and I grew up with great boxing movies or because there's pugilism in my Roma blood...I don't know, but...any play with boxing in it, is a winner for me.
This is the story of Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champion of the world, and his story of how the "white" world tried to undermine his success.
It is also very avant-garde. The play has several scenes that would have to be staged very carefully and there are five different languages in the production. It also runs the gamut for racial issues.
I am on the fence as to whether or not it's too dated to produce, but I am intrigued by it...
From playbillvault.com: "African-American boxing champion Jack Jefferson, who is loosely modeled on his real-life counterpart, Jack Johnson, suffers racism due to his success and his relationship with a white woman, in Howard Sackler's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama."
September 27, 2014 Review: I have given myself the project of reading every African-American-themed play or playwright I can get my hands on because most of my current students are African-American. It's not that I don't have a good handle on that niche part of what I do, but...I want to expand what I know, especially to help them find audition monologues and scene work.
I have had this play for a while and have intended on reading it, but...life always gets in the way. The reason I had intended on reading it is because I had had a graduate seminar by Jane Alexander and had read her autobiography before the seminar, and this play was mentioned as one of the ones that made her famous. It did so because it was produced in the '60s and starred herself and James Earl Jones, and the politics of miscegenation at the time of its production and the docudrama aspect of the plot of the play, definitely hit a sore nerve, and as anyone in show business knows...all press is good press.
Anyway, I also have a thing for boxing. I don't know if it was because I was a child of the '80s and '90s and I grew up with great boxing movies or because there's pugilism in my Roma blood...I don't know, but...any play with boxing in it, is a winner for me.
This is the story of Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champion of the world, and his story of how the "white" world tried to undermine his success.
It is also very avant-garde. The play has several scenes that would have to be staged very carefully and there are five different languages in the production. It also runs the gamut for racial issues.
I am on the fence as to whether or not it's too dated to produce, but I am intrigued by it...
Read
June 17, 2013Eliza Malakoff
Mrs. Martin
English 10 Honors
17 June, 2013
The Great White Hope Book Review
In December of 1908, African-American boxer Jack Johnson defeated his white counterpart to win the heavyweight national championship, setting off a barrage of racial controversy. Further controversy erupted after Jack publicized his engagement to a young white woman, Ellie Bachman. As white officials began searching frantically for a white boxer who could reclaim the national title, African-Americans responded with conflicting attitudes. Named after the frantic search for Jack’s opponent, Howard Sackler’s play, The Great White Hope, manifests how Jack’s fights within the boxing ring mirror his struggles against society. The play reflects the historical tension between blacks and whites and the ethical battles individuals waged within themselves. I found that Sackler’s gritty style and nuanced characterizations were able to bring Jack’s story to life even by only reading the script.
Sackler’s portrayal of Jack Johnson is breathtaking, especially as he changes through the play. The transition of Jack’s character from a well-meaning, friendly, and stubborn optimist to a resentful and isolated man never seems rushed or forced. Instead, Jack simply begins to slowly spiral downhill. Even as he reaches rock bottom and it becomes difficult to empathize with him, he is still pitiable. This is a testament to Sakler’s incredible control over character. Only one character, Jack’s wife Ellie Bachman, lacked Sackler’s characteristic depth. Although portrayed as loveable and noble, there is little substance to Ellie’s character besides following Jack around. I would have liked to see more nuance and ethical ambiguity in the characterization of Ellie.
Sackler’s overall sophisticated characterization is why the play is able to make such a strong impact; without it, the play would seem too pointed and even melodramtic. Using his skills of characterization to his advantage, Sackler makes an usual choice to occasionally insert monologues between the group scenes. The effect is astounding: it makes a reader or audience member feel like a jury member hearing opposing points at court. It forces the reader or audience member to consider all sides of issues of race and personal responsibility and wonder which side he or she would fall on. As a commentary on race and how the choices of an individual can have huge repercussions, The Great White Hope is extremely powerful.
Mrs. Martin
English 10 Honors
17 June, 2013
The Great White Hope Book Review
In December of 1908, African-American boxer Jack Johnson defeated his white counterpart to win the heavyweight national championship, setting off a barrage of racial controversy. Further controversy erupted after Jack publicized his engagement to a young white woman, Ellie Bachman. As white officials began searching frantically for a white boxer who could reclaim the national title, African-Americans responded with conflicting attitudes. Named after the frantic search for Jack’s opponent, Howard Sackler’s play, The Great White Hope, manifests how Jack’s fights within the boxing ring mirror his struggles against society. The play reflects the historical tension between blacks and whites and the ethical battles individuals waged within themselves. I found that Sackler’s gritty style and nuanced characterizations were able to bring Jack’s story to life even by only reading the script.
Sackler’s portrayal of Jack Johnson is breathtaking, especially as he changes through the play. The transition of Jack’s character from a well-meaning, friendly, and stubborn optimist to a resentful and isolated man never seems rushed or forced. Instead, Jack simply begins to slowly spiral downhill. Even as he reaches rock bottom and it becomes difficult to empathize with him, he is still pitiable. This is a testament to Sakler’s incredible control over character. Only one character, Jack’s wife Ellie Bachman, lacked Sackler’s characteristic depth. Although portrayed as loveable and noble, there is little substance to Ellie’s character besides following Jack around. I would have liked to see more nuance and ethical ambiguity in the characterization of Ellie.
Sackler’s overall sophisticated characterization is why the play is able to make such a strong impact; without it, the play would seem too pointed and even melodramtic. Using his skills of characterization to his advantage, Sackler makes an usual choice to occasionally insert monologues between the group scenes. The effect is astounding: it makes a reader or audience member feel like a jury member hearing opposing points at court. It forces the reader or audience member to consider all sides of issues of race and personal responsibility and wonder which side he or she would fall on. As a commentary on race and how the choices of an individual can have huge repercussions, The Great White Hope is extremely powerful.
September 21, 2015
Wow. I was not expecting to love this play as much as I did. I wasn't even expecting to like it, I rarely like mainstream plays from this era of the American theater. To me they're usually just period pieces with dated dialogue and melodramatic plotlines written with the Pulitzer in mind.
So here I had a Pulitzer winner from the 50's and I was expecting just another run around the cliche track. I wasn't expecting one of the most epic plays I've ever read. To see a well-done full-on production of this would be glorious. Sackler's scattershot writing and excellent dialogue covers the entire globe as the main characters go from fleeing America to a bar in Germany to a circus in Budapest and a barn in Juarez. This kind of massive story is always better suited better for film, and most films don't even have this kind of scope! The fact that Sackler makes it work on stage (I didn't see it, but I am a theater guy. I can visualize it.) is an astounding accomplishment. Not bad for the future screenwriter of Jaws 2.
So here I had a Pulitzer winner from the 50's and I was expecting just another run around the cliche track. I wasn't expecting one of the most epic plays I've ever read. To see a well-done full-on production of this would be glorious. Sackler's scattershot writing and excellent dialogue covers the entire globe as the main characters go from fleeing America to a bar in Germany to a circus in Budapest and a barn in Juarez. This kind of massive story is always better suited better for film, and most films don't even have this kind of scope! The fact that Sackler makes it work on stage (I didn't see it, but I am a theater guy. I can visualize it.) is an astounding accomplishment. Not bad for the future screenwriter of Jaws 2.
August 8, 2012
This Pulitzer-Prize-winning play didn’t thrill me. I’m sure it’s much better on stage, but on the page it feels dated. The plot is a fictionalized retelling of the real life boxer Jack Johnson. He found success during the Jim Crow era and became the very first African American world heavyweight boxing champion.
The play focuses heavily on his white girlfriend and the controversy their relationship caused. He was actually sent to jail because of the relationship at one point.
I had a hard time getting past some of the language, for example…
“Stop beatin on de cullud.”
“You juss nacheral.”
“Git de wimmins inside.”
I think this is just one those plays that does a wonderful job representing a period in time, but after a few decades it loses its punch.
The play focuses heavily on his white girlfriend and the controversy their relationship caused. He was actually sent to jail because of the relationship at one point.
I had a hard time getting past some of the language, for example…
“Stop beatin on de cullud.”
“You juss nacheral.”
“Git de wimmins inside.”
I think this is just one those plays that does a wonderful job representing a period in time, but after a few decades it loses its punch.
January 25, 2017
This Pulitzer and Tony winner is loosely based off Jack Johnson, the first African-American boxer to become world champion. The title comes from the desire of white Americans to find a white boxer who could beat Johnson, hence ‘the great white hope.’ That Johnson also married a white woman in pre-WWI America makes him that much more intriguing.
Maybe I would feel differently seeing The Great White Hope staged, but I found the play too scattered and overly populated with subplots and characters. A simpler tale that did less and went deeper would have been more to my liking. But this does feel like a play with a lot of big, physical moments, so it could very well play much differently on stage than on the page. Quasi-recommended.
Maybe I would feel differently seeing The Great White Hope staged, but I found the play too scattered and overly populated with subplots and characters. A simpler tale that did less and went deeper would have been more to my liking. But this does feel like a play with a lot of big, physical moments, so it could very well play much differently on stage than on the page. Quasi-recommended.
June 18, 2013
A lot of characters and a *lot* of stage directions. Very distracting. I feel like the story is good enough that it doesn't need all the direction. I understand that reading a play is very different from seeing one. Perhaps the version I read is really only meant for those who are putting on the production rather than for people just looking the read the play.
February 27, 2012
What can I say, I'm a sucker for a good racism book. White guilt, I suppose.
May 8, 2012
Powerful, insightful, well-structured and written play. Deserving of an upcoming Broadway revival.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews