Going the Distance: Stallone, Philly, and the Story of Rocky
Nov 2026 · Sold by St. Martin's Press
Ebook
320
Pages
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infoThis book will become available on November 10, 2026. You will not be charged until it is released.
About this ebook
The remarkable behind-the-scenes story of the making of a timeless and beloved piece of American pop culture: Rocky.
The greatest underdog story in movie history celebrates its golden anniversary in 2026. Rocky turns 50, and in Going the Distance, Mike Sielski delivers the definitive account of the film’s creation, the factors that drove Sylvester Stallone to write and star in it, and its everlasting emotional connection to Philadelphia and to people around the world.
Armed with intimate knowledge of Philadelphia’s texture, culture, and history, Sielski traces how and why Rocky came to be made and reveals fresh details and anecdotes that will surprise even the film's biggest fans. Through extensive research and exclusive insights from some of the movie's legendary collaborators – including Stallone, producer Irwin Winkler, and composer Bill Conti – Sielski tells Rocky’s story in a completely new way, showing Stallone’s rise from an aimless kid to an ambitious artist, one who was willing to do whatever he had to do to succeed in Hollywood.
Going the Distance is the unfiltered origin story behind one of the most inspirational films of all time. This is more than a book about a movie. It’s a love letter to a great American city – and a dramatic, fascinating ride all its own.
The greatest underdog story in movie history celebrates its golden anniversary in 2026. Rocky turns 50, and in Going the Distance, Mike Sielski delivers the definitive account of the film’s creation, the factors that drove Sylvester Stallone to write and star in it, and its everlasting emotional connection to Philadelphia and to people around the world.
Armed with intimate knowledge of Philadelphia’s texture, culture, and history, Sielski traces how and why Rocky came to be made and reveals fresh details and anecdotes that will surprise even the film's biggest fans. Through extensive research and exclusive insights from some of the movie's legendary collaborators – including Stallone, producer Irwin Winkler, and composer Bill Conti – Sielski tells Rocky’s story in a completely new way, showing Stallone’s rise from an aimless kid to an ambitious artist, one who was willing to do whatever he had to do to succeed in Hollywood.
Going the Distance is the unfiltered origin story behind one of the most inspirational films of all time. This is more than a book about a movie. It’s a love letter to a great American city – and a dramatic, fascinating ride all its own.
The remarkable behind-the-scenes story of the making of a timeless and beloved piece of American pop culture: Rocky.
The greatest underdog story in movie history celebrates its golden anniversary in 2026. Rocky turns 50, and in Going the Distance, Mike Sielski delivers the definitive account of ...
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About the author
MIKE SIELSKI is the author of five books, including "The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality" and "Magic in the Air: The Myth, the Mystery, and the Soul of the Slam Dunk." He has been a sports columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer since 2013 and was formerly a reporter at The Wall Street Journal. His work has been anthologized in "The Best American Sports Writing" and "The Year's Best Sports Writing," and in 2015 The Associated Press Sports Editors voted him the top sports columnist in America. He lives in Bucks County, Pa., with his wife and two sons.
MIKE SIELSKI is the author of five books, including "The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality" and "Magic in the Air: The Myth, the Mystery, and the Soul of the Slam Dunk." He has been a sports columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer since 2013 and was formerly a reporter at The Wall ...
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