A. J. Liebling

  • 11

    Catalog books

  • 8

    Works

  • 1970 to 2023

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

A. J. Liebling surfaces in these selections as a sharp-eyed cultural critic with a particular appetite for American life’s contests and characters. His boxing essays observe the ring’s drama and craft with reportage that balances technical detail, wry humor, and a clear sense of human stakes.

Across collected pieces and a biographical study of Huey Long, Liebling brings curiosity and narrative ease to political and regional subjects. He blends close observation, anecdote, and opinion to illuminate personalities and power, making local scenes and public figures vividly readable.

Best Place To Start

Back Where I Came From

Farrar Straus & Giroux • 1990 • standard commitment

It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Magazine essays and reportage • Sporting writing, especially boxing • Profiles and character studies

Genres and themes: Nonfiction essays • Sports journalism • Cultural and regional portraiture

Who this author is best for: Clear, observant prose for readers who like smart, anecdotal reporting and vivid profiles of people and places.

Start with a single essay collection to sample his voice, then dive into book-length profiles if you enjoy his style.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Back Where I Came From

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 1990 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1990 • 303 pages.

  2. The Earl of Louisiana (Southern Biography Series)

    Louisiana State University Press • 2008 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2008 • 264 pages.

  3. A Neutral Corner: Boxing Essays

    North Point Pr • 1996 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1996 • 245 pages.

  4. Just Enough Liebling: Classic Work by the Legendary New Yorker Writer: Classic Work by the Legendary New Yorker Writer

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 2004 • oversized commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2004 • 534 pages.

  5. The Sweet Science

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 2004 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2004 • 267 pages.

  6. Between meals

    Random House Inc • 1995 • standard commitment

    It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

  7. Sweet Science

    Farrar, Straus & Giroux • 2014 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 2014.

  8. The Most of A. J. Liebling

    Touchstone • 1970 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 1970.

  9. A.J. Liebling

    Library of America • 2008 • oversized commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2008 • 1100 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • The Earl of Louisiana (Southern Biography Series) is the easier short commitment, while Back Where I Came From asks for more reading time up front.
  • Back Where I Came From gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while The Earl of Louisiana (Southern Biography Series) leans later in the catalog.
  • A Neutral Corner: Boxing Essays is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from Back Where I Came From.

Browse Next