Crazy Fourth: How Jack Johnson Kept His Heavyweight Title and Put Las Vegas, New Mexico, on the Map.

The article reviews *Crazy Fourth: How Jack Johnson Kept His Heavyweight Title and Put Las Vegas, New Mexico, on the Map* by Toby Smith, which focuses on the 1912 heavyweight championship fight between African American champion Jack Johnson and white contender Jim Flynn. The book details the poorly managed and farcical nature of the bout, highlighting its racial dynamics, sports promotion, and significance for Las Vegas, New Mexico, shortly after statehood. Smith explores how the fight was used to boost civic pride and challenge misconceptions about the American West, despite its limited attendance and chaotic organization. While the narrative is engaging, the review notes that a deeper historical context on race, boxing, and regional history would have enhanced the analysis.