Before Boise has blue turf, it has boxing, and the Basques have their champion.
Al Berro is “The Fighting Basque from Jordan Valley.” He fights in the prize ring, he fights in the barrooms, he fights City Hall⎯and he wins.
When the Aspens Turn to Tinder tells the story of this colorful downtown figure, who owns the iconic Bouquet Cigar Store at 821 Main Street and operates a gambling house on its upper floor⎯all while contending with the outlaw motorcycle club, Brother Speed.
Drawing on numerous primary sources and original archival documents, Jim Baxter takes readers back to old downtown Boise, the Marquess of Queensbury Rules, and the days when a man wants to “look sharp⎯feel sharp⎯be sharp.” The days when a man settles things with his fists⎯and would never kick another man when he was down.
Available in paperback at Amazon.
