| When one thinks of the background of athletes in | | | | Sheridan's realization that what he really wants to do |
| the sports of boxing, mixed martial arts, and | | | | is explore the culture of fighting. Working out at a |
| kickboxing it is very rare that anyone would think of | | | | gym in Australia in the art of kickboxing, Sheridan is |
| a former Harvard student being an expert in that | | | | told that training at a gym in Thailand for Muay Thai, |
| field. However, that is the case with author Sam | | | | a form of kickboxing, for a few months is worth |
| Sheridan, who wrote a novel a few years ago called | | | | years at any other school in any other country. |
| A Fighter's Heart. As previously mentioned, Sheridan | | | | Needless to say, Sheridan winds up going to Thailand. |
| is a graduate from Harvard and when he was in | | | | Working out at one of the more famous gyms, called |
| school at the Ivy League university he got involved in | | | | the Fairtex gym, Sheridan finds out some incredible |
| boxing, which prompted further interest in pugilistic | | | | facts and gets top notch training. Sheridan learns that |
| sports. The novel profiles Sheridan and the sports he | | | | Muay Thai is a way out of poverty for many people, |
| covers as he traverses the globe to get a feel for | | | | much like boxing in the United States, and that |
| why people fight and the mentality of the | | | | fighters typically begin having fights at age six or |
| competitors. One of the drawbacks of combat | | | | seven and are considered at their peak at seventeen. |
| sports is that often times on the mats that people | | | | After participating in a Muay Thai fight of his own, |
| train on, they can pick up an infection such as toenail | | | | which he wins, Sheridan moves back to the United |
| fungus since the mats are unclean. This can result in | | | | States. |
| needing to use fungus toenail laser treatment or Long | | | | The novel continues as Sheridan travels to Oakland |
| Island fungus toenail treatment. Along the way he | | | | to train with and pick the brain of an Olympic |
| also experiences the different sports for himself, | | | | medalist in boxing and then moves on to Rio de |
| completely immersing himself in the culture of | | | | Janiero and subsequently Japan to work in Brazilian jiu |
| whatever sport he is profiling at the moment. A fairly | | | | jitsu with famed heavyweight mixed martial artist |
| simple read and very intriguing, it is no wonder that A | | | | Antonia Rodrigo Noguiera. The lowlight of the book |
| Fighter's Heart was at one time on many different | | | | for many people; is when Sheridan discusses dog |
| best sellers' lists. | | | | fighting and how it is popular in many different |
| The novel begins with Sheridan briefly explaining his | | | | countries. Despite his attempts to explain it away as |
| interest in fight sports and his background. After | | | | a dog showing love for his owner, there is really |
| graduating from a prestigious prep school on the east | | | | nothing that can take away from the disgusting |
| coast he went into the Merchant Marines for a while | | | | brutality and senselessness of dog fighting and it |
| to participate in the military. After that adventure, he | | | | really taints the book that it is even brought up. |
| went to Harvard and graduated with a degree in art. | | | | Despite the obvious low point, the novel is still an |
| Fresh out of Harvard Sheridan went on a boat trip | | | | excellent read and very satisfying to those already |
| around the world on the yacht of a family friend and | | | | interested in combat sports and people who may be |
| wound up in Australia. Australia is the setting for | | | | looking to learn more. |