Cockfighter

In "Cockfighter," Charles Willeford presents the story of Frank Mansfield, a fiercely determined man consumed by his obsession with winning in the brutal world of cockfighting during the early 1960s rural South. Willeford, a former professional boxer and well-regarded crime novelist, brings a deep understanding of the sport, capturing the gritty atmosphere of the cockpits and bars. Originally published in 1972 and later adapted into a controversial film, this novel explores themes of obsession and the cost of ambition. After nearly two decades out of print, "Cockfighter" re-emerges as a compelling reflection on a man's relentless pursuit of glory.