Neil J. Smith’s book, On the Ropes, was reviewed by The Moving Words. The review narrates the passion, sentiment, depth, and intensity of the story along with an amalgamation of reality and fiction from the era of the 60s in the US. On the Ropes is based on a young black boxer Percival Jones, who is genuinely inspired by the character of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The story begins with Percival’s first fight with Slade, which he wins, and afterward receives the ill-timed news of King’s assassination. He’s heartbroken. In his sheer despair, he reminisces his speech I Have a Dream, which suggests that someday black and white shall coexist in true equivalence in the US. It’s a tale that reveals an ugly racist face of the US in the 60s. The author tackles the issues of racism, prejudice, and cultural rifts of that era with a no-holds-barred approach. It’s a story with a heart that drives one to tears. Persistence, genuineness, perseverance, resilience, despair are all interwoven together with a plethora of authentic, realistic characters. Neil J. Smith was born in the Bahamas. He’d been raised from 7 years onwards in NY. He was ill-educated due to limited resources and became a boxer at 12. He won numerous awards as an athlete for the next 12 years. Then he learned creative writing, poetry, and literature from William Packard at NYU.