Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X: The Fatal Friendship

by Randy W. Roberts, Johnny Smith, Margeaux Weston (Adapter)

Discover the remarkable relationship between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, and how the shifting tides of their bond affected the movement for Black pride and independence in the 1960s in this nonfiction book for young readers .
Freshly adapted for young readers, this in-depth portrait showcases the complex bond between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, revealing how Malcolm helped mold Cassius Clay into Muhammad Ali and influenced his rise as an international symbol of Black pride and Black independence. Yet when Malcolm was expelled from the Nation of Islam for criticizing the conduct of its leader, Elijah Muhammad, Ali turned his back on Malcolm, a choice that some believe tragically contributed to the minister's assassination in February 1965.

Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X is the story of how Ali redefined what it means to be a Black athlete in America, informed by Malcolm's leadership. An extraordinary portrait of love, friendship, and power as well as deceit and betrayal, here is a window into the public and private lives of two national icons, and the tumultuous period in the American Civil Rights Movement that they helped to shape.
 

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
A lot of us Muslims name drop Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X in discussions about civil rights quite often, and at least, speaking for myself, I thought I had the general idea about the relationship between these two iconic figures. I have read a fair amount of books in my quest to identify books that show how Islam shaped the men as opposed to those that tend to gloss over their eventual conversion to Sunni Islam, but I read this book as if it were fiction and I didn't know what was going to happen next.  I have not read the original Blood Brothers, but this young readers adaptation is well done in conveying the politics, environment, struggles, and humanity of these two men.  Their flaws and growth, their tests, their friendship, it really is a compelling read. The focus on their friendship puts Nation of Islam as the focus, but the book does a good job of identifying it as being different than Islam.  As their friendship falters, Malcolm X goes for Hajj and is seen to change, and choices made by Cassius Clay show the men quite distant at the time of el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz's assassination, even though eventually their paths proved quite similar. The 240 page book is MG, but I think middle school readers (in classrooms, book clubs, and on their own) will better appreciate the intersection of these two giants, the events of their time, and the legacy they have left for us all.

SYNOPSIS:

The book is a snapshot in time, sometimes focusing on Malcolm X, sometimes on Cassius Clay, sometimes of their time together.  It starts with background insight and then shares the rise of both of them in their respective worlds, Nation of Islam and boxing.  Threaded through it all is the influence that Elijah Muhammad had on them, and key events they experienced that shaped their thoughts and opinions on race relations, politics, religion, and life.  It shows Malcolm X as the teacher, and leader taking in Clay and believing in him against the Nation's wishes and thus when Muhammad Ali pushes him away the reader sees the Champ in a different light.  It shows deception and manipulation, as deep and riveting as the best fiction out there, but is very vulnerable in showing regret and both individuals' ability to keep learning and growing.  The conclusion highlighting Muhammad Ali reaching out to Malcolm X's daughter Attallah, and the forgiveness that took place in restoring the love between the two men and their families, really was a cathartic release that reminds readers that for as idolized as these two figures are in pop culture and history, they were very real people.  The book has a Biography at the end that breaks down sources by Government Documents, Archival Collections, Newspapers, Magazine Articles, Books, and Websites.  It is a "Selected Biography" that is seven pages long.

FLAGS:

Racism, manipulation, assassination, hate crimes, stereotypes, propaganda, oppressions, abuse, police brutality, assault, bombing, arson, attempted murder, fear, threats, killing.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I have preordered a book for my own children to read and one for the school, I really think this book needs to be easily accessible for middle school students in libraries, classrooms, and homes.  I would love to do this as a middle school book club, I think the authentic perspective will give our youth who have heard of Malcolm X and think they know Muhammad Ali some insight into really spending time with what they did, what they faced, and how remarkable their friendship was.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My brother found the adult edition compelling, so when I was assigned to read a historical nonfiction for my kids nonfiction class, I picked this one up to assess from a 'adult-reading-children's-books' point of view.

I know more about Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X than most (thanks to the aforementioned brother), so I feel confident in saying this is a well-researched, accurate portrayal of not only both figures - in relation to one another and outside of it - but a very unique, mystifying period of history.

The 60s were a turbulent time in the United States. Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X were two key individuals who helped to define a movement that we are still feeling the ripple effects of today. However, as much as they are larger than life Black icons, they are also fallible men that sometimes made mistakes, backed the wrong horse and hurt people.

I loved that this book took a harder stance on Muhammad Ali and was willing to turn a more critical eye on his choices given his beloved reputation. On the other side, I really appreciated how it humanized Malcolm X who is often venerated for his cruelty while ignoring the love underneath that motivated him. It's a great balanced, nuanced perspective that encourages a younger readership to view history through the lens of reality instead of rigid black-and-white, all-or-nothing binaries. These men did amazing things for the Black community and their contributions are not erased just because they weren't perfect.

My brother gave it a skim and agrees that it's well done, therefore, I'm going to assume that it's a good adaptation, but again I have not actually read the adult edition so take my opinion on that front with a grain of salt.

Regardless of its adaptation quality, independently, it is a great body of work.

[Jan Peregrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muhammed Ali and Malcolm X~~~~~~

He was Cassius Clay, unknown to the world;
he was Malcolm X, a rising star speaking in Harlem;
when they met they became blood brothers for life,
but the Nation of Islam tragically came between them
and Malcolm was murdered.


Clay was a Christian supported by rich Christians,
Malcolm a minister for Black brotherhood only;
when Clay won the heavyweight champion title,
it was Malcolm who believed in him so strongly,
as if it was Allah's will.

Clay was renamed then by Elijah Muhammed,
Malcolm's star was crushed so Ali would shine now;
when Malcolm hoped to be welcomed back by Elijah,
Ali knew his fallen brother's star would never shine now
and Malcolm/'s life was ending.

Ali and Malcolm took separate trips to Africa and Asia.
They met a last time and Malcolm reached out in vain;
when Ali believed Malcolm was a lying devil in Islam,
it was sick, old Elijah using Ali for his Nation's gain
while plotting to kill Malcolm.

You could say it was a fatal as well as fateful friendship,
they shaped each other's lives, and for Malcolm, his death;
when Malcolm could embrace, the civil rights movement,
it took Ali much longer to do so, until Elijah's last breath,
and both wanted unity with whites.

Please note that Malcolm sought human, not civil, rights,
he wasn't fighting for integration or assimilation, either;
when his great legacy lives on today, like in Black Lives Matter,
it may be noted that Ali didn't do bad with his legacy, neither,
and regretted letting Malcolm blink out.+

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

La propera setmana es compleixen seixanta anys de l’assassinat de Malcom X. A la pregunta que li va formular una noia blanca: “què podem fer els blancs per ajudar la seva causa?” en plena revolta pels drets civils, Malcom X va respondre: Res.

Aquesta és la història de l’amistat de dues figures centrals del moviment social contra el racisme sistèmic i per l’emancipació dels afroamericans. També de les diferents tendències sectàries, les seves lluites intestines, La Nació de l’islam i la llavor que va germinar en altres moviments com Les Panteres Negres i el Black Lives Matter.

Un passeig per la lluita per la dignitat, les amenaces, els linxament, els assassinats, les enveges, el Ku Klux Klan i l’FBI. Tot plegat és una edició juvenil tal vegada massa planera i poc sofisticada però tanmateix interessant i de fàcil lectura.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read the adult version to compare the YA adaptation but having just finished reading the older biography written by the GOAT Walter Dean Myers, some of the information was already newly learned in that one and repeated in this one however this did spend equal time introducing you to both individual men before their long term friendship that lasted even after Malcolm X's assassination with his children.

Plenty of fascinating details including Malcolm X's discovering of the indiscretions of the leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Mohammad or the machinations at work behind the scenes to align with Ali as his star was rising in the boxing world.

The friendship, the sport, the religion, and the men.

[Matthew Picardat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a countless number of books on both of these men and the way the author is able to summarize the relationship of two incredibly influential civil rights figures is just a masterpiece. Although I personally learned very little new information this is a must have for younger readers, I will be buying a couple copies to keep with me at school upon release.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I had no idea the relationship these two men had and all the history that came with it.

Very well written for the younger audience/ high schoolers to comprehend- I hope more kids will read it and learn!

[Emily Vivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is such an educating book for young adults.

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this was a shorter book, it was difficult to finish due to the amount of repetition. This is definitely recommended for those who want a play by play account of Ali's matches (another major reason it took so long to finish). The background was very insightful on how both met and what happened to cause their fallout. The amount of govt scrutiny for both was amazing and ridiculous.

The author includes a detailed bibliography, including government documents, and b/w photos of matches, meetings, and speeches.

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Christy Ottaviano Books for the ARC.

I would like to start by saying that it was clear that I’m the target age group for this book. It was obviously made for those who are just learning about the treatment of Black people in the 50’s and 60’s who’d never heard of segregation before. But, this book would also explain the word segregationist but not the phrase Black Nationalist. I found it interesting enough. 4⭐️
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