loss no surprise Terry Peters Book Reviews % The Devil and Sonny Liston by Nick Tosches, Fitte, Brown and ompany, 266 pages, $34.95. 8 Sonay Liston started boxing at the Missouri State Penitentiary while serving time for robbery convic- tions. Released in 1952, he began his amateur career in St Louis, where he won the Golden Gloves open com- petition. He quickly moved up the ladder, winning state and national titles, then in June he won the world Nick Tosches amateur title. Once Liston entered the professiona! ranks, his entanglement with under- world backers increased. Showing incredible punch- ing power, Liston defeated every one willing to climb into the ring. As his list of victories rose, so did the background manipulation of Liston and his fights. Managers, train- ers, advisors, all tried to pull the strings on Liston’s matches. Tosches does an admirable job at following the twisted trail of under- world figures and the results of their schemes. Liston battled his way to che heavyweight ticle which he took from Floyd Patterson in a bout that lasted two minutes and six seconds, on Sept. 25, 1962. But Liston was not a champion that could endure much scrutiny. Repeated arrests for drunkenness, assaults, his earlier convictions for rob- bery, combined with his mob connections meant that he wouldn't stay on top for long. Feb. 25, 1964, a brash young fighter named Cassius Clay, ended his reign with a win so questionable, that it was only exceeded by the bla- tant dive taken by Liston in the rematch. Tosches intersperses his story with extensive quotes and excerpts from many See Carter Page 26 fl Smali Change offers few f positive returns NEWS photo Julie iverson AUTHORS Kenn Harper (in front, Give Me My Father's Body: The Life of Minik the New York Eskimo) and Jeffrey Lent (criticaliy-acclaimed debut novel in the Fal) visited North Vancouver's 32 Books on May 17 to read from their work. 'GALAPAGOS' UTILIZES TS 3D IMAX TECHNOLOGY a TO THE. MAX!” ~ VANCOUVER SUN og OTR Smithsonian * - « Institution’ : | A ORAL 36 ence Loy FOUNDATION |, SHOWTIMES Galapagos Daily: 9pm « Add’! shows: Sat & Sun 11am, 1:15, 3:30pm Michael Jordan to the Max Daily: 7, 10pm « Add'l shows: Sat & Sun 2:15, 4:45pm Alaska Daily: 6, 8pm ° Add’! shows: Sat & Sun {2pm Showlimes subject to change without notice. @ Sinail Change by Elizabeth Hay THERE was no mixed feelings about this book. We all disliked it! iw rsonally surprised by how much T disliked it. F have read Ehizabeth Hay's new book and really enjoved it. Suali Chanae, « collection of st ones about fhendships gone wrong, was written in 199 he stories are linked by one char- acter, Beth, who does net seem to be able to mainzain a close friendship with anvene she becomes close to. The stories are very well-written and the author has a wonderful way of cap- turing personal moments that all of us will recognize in our relationships with others. in particular that was memorable and bit- tersweet was “Hand Games”. A story of a turbulent friendship between two small children. The mother of one of the girls ts so pained by how her daughter is being treated, wants to intercede but knows how important it is for her child to sort it out herself. This story is well written and recognizable. | think everyone can remember how much it hurt when your best friend decided to replace you, yet a week {ater you were fast friends again. There are no positive moments to be found in Small Change. In each story Beth describes what she dislikes about others, r reflecting on her own shortfalls. We found the way in which the stories were not chronologically arranged confusing. The characters were unclear and often we were not sure who was who. There was also a couple of stories that seemed totally out of place and unrelated. Although we felt quite negative about our experience with this book, we all agreed that the author was a good writer and able to convey real situations in ways that you could feel and understand. Two weeks before our bookclub meeting, Elizabeth Hay was at 32 Books, reading from her new book A Student of Weatizer. 1 had not started Small Change yet and really wish that I had. 1 would have asked her what she was trying to convey in Siall Change, why were her characters so unlikable and did she intend See Book Page 21 : At the north end of Canada Place near the Waterfront SkyTrain Station and Seabus Terminal For tickets cail: (604) 682-IMA X (4629) ouring operating hours. Group sales: (604) 608-6786 ° www.imax.com/vancouver