The Combat Zone

The Combat Zone recounts the tragic events surrounding the murder of Harvard athlete Andy Puopolo in Boston’s infamous adult entertainment district at the end of the 1976 football season. Against a backdrop of racial tension, corruption, and social upheaval, the book explores the Puopolo family's response to their loss and the flawed criminal justice proceedings that followed. Set during a turbulent time in Boston’s history, this story offers a compelling look at a city in transition.