Meet The Bruiser Jim Tully: The Inspiring Story of a Former Hobo Turned Legendary Writer

They said he was just an ordinary hobo, a transient soul wandering the country in search of his next meal. But little did they know that beneath the dusty clothes and rugged exterior, Jim Tully carried the fire of ambition and a passion for storytelling that would propel him to become one of the greatest writers of his time. This is the inspiring story of The Bruiser Jim Tully, a man who defied all odds and left an indelible mark on American literature.

The Early Struggles

James "Jim" Tully was born on June 3, 1886, in St. Marys, Ohio. His early life was far from easy, as poverty and an abusive father plagued his upbringing. At the tender age of six, he was sent to an orphanage, where he endured years of neglect and mistreatment.

Escaping the oppressive walls of the orphanage at age thirteen, Jim took to the road, finding solace in the camaraderie of fellow vagabonds. He traveled from town to town, hopping freight trains, and living a life of constant uncertainty.

The Bruiser

by Jim Tully (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	953 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	248 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

A Brush with Boxing

As fate would have it, Tully found himself in the world of professional boxing. His natural strength and resilience earned him the nickname "The Bruiser," and he quickly rose through the ranks. Boxing became both a means of survival and a stepping stone for his future endeavors.

However, Tully soon realized that his true passion lay in the written word. He found solace in books and used them as a portal to escape the harsh realities of his nomadic lifestyle. Inspired by the works of Jack London and Mark Twain, Jim knew he had stories to share with the world.

A Talented Pen and Literary Recognition

In the early 1900s, Jim Tully began his writing career, chronicling his experiences and adventures on the road. He penned numerous short stories and articles, capturing the essence of the American landscape and its varied inhabitants. His raw, unadorned prose resonated with readers and marked the beginning of his rise to literary stardom.

One of his most acclaimed works is "Beggars of Life," a semi-autobiographical novel published in 1924. The book, recounting his adventures as a young hobo, propelled Tully into the national spotlight, securing his place as a master storyteller. Critics praised his ability to depict the desperation and struggles of those living on the margins of society.

From Hobo to Hollywood

Soon after his literary breakthrough, Hollywood came knocking at Tully's door. With his unique perspective and gripping narratives, his stories were a natural fit for the silver screen. Several of his works were adapted into successful movies, solidifying his impact on both the literary and cinematic worlds.

However, despite his rising fame, Tully never forgot his roots. Striving to give voice to the voiceless, he championed the cause of the working class and shed light on the social injustices prevalent during the early 20th century.

The Legacy of Jim Tully

The life and works of Jim Tully remain an inspiration to aspiring writers and individuals facing adversity. He proved that no matter where one starts, it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.

In 1947, Jim Tully passed away, leaving behind a literary legacy that continues to captivate readers to this day. His stories serve as a testament to the power of the human spirit and the triumph of the underdog.

The Bruiser Jim Tully may have been born into a life of hardship, but he transformed his experiences into literary gold. From his humble beginnings as a hobo to his stature as a celebrated writer, Tully's journey is a testament to tenacity, resilience, and the transformative power of storytelling. His remarkable life reminds us that within each of us lies the potential to create art, defy expectations, and leave an enduring impact on the world.

The Bruiser

by Jim Tully (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	953 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	248 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

“Few novelists captured the contradictions of his country so simply or so honestly in the metaphor of the pure, fatalistic, and merciless community of bruising.”—from the ForewordWhen The Bruiser was first published in 1936, almost every reviewer praised Jim Tully’s gritty boxing novel for its authenticity—a hard-earned attribute. Twenty-eight years before the appearance of The Bruiser, Tully began a career in the ring, fighting regularly on the Ohio circuit. He knew what it felt like to step inside the ropes, hoping to beat another man senseless for the amusement of the crowd. Having won acclaim in the 1920s for such hard-boiled autobiographical novels as Beggars of Life and Circus Parade, Tully thus became both fighter and writer. “It’s a pip of a story because it is written by a man who knows what he is writing about,” said sportswriter and Guys and Dolls author Damon Runyon. “He has some descriptions of ring fighting in it that literally smell of whizzing leather. He has put bone and sinew into it, and atmosphere and feeling.”The Bruiser is the story of Shane Rory, a drifter who turns to boxing and works his way up the heavyweight ranks. Like Tully, Shane starts out as a road kid who takes up prizefighting. While The Bruiser is not an autobiographical work, it does draw heavily on Tully’s experiences of the road and ring. Rory is part Tully, but the boxers populating these briskly paced chapters are drawn from the many ring legends the writer counted among his friends: Jack Dempsey, Joe Gans, Stanley Ketchel, Gene Tunney, Frank Moran, and Johnny Kilbane, to name a few. The book is dedicated to Dempsey, the Roaring Twenties heavyweight champion, who said, “If I still had the punch in the ring that Jim Tully packs in The Bruiser, I’d still be the heavyweight champion of the world today.”More than just a riveting picture of life in the ring, The Bruiser is a portrait of an America that Jim Tully knew from the bottom up.