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The Greatest - My Own Story - Mohammad Ali
The career of "The Greatest": tracks Ali from his days as a sophisticated amateur boxer in Louisville to his Olympic and subsequent professional career.
510 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1975
286 people are currently reading
4499 people want to read
About the author
Muhammad Ali
245 books430 followersAmerican prizefighter Muhammad Ali, originally Cassius Marcellus Clay, Junior, won the world heavyweight title in 1964, but as a result of his refusal to allow the Army to induct him during the Vietnam War, people stripped him of his title and from 1967 from competing banned him to 1970; he later regained the title two more times in 1974 and 1978.
This former professional boxer, philanthropist, and social activist lived.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhamma...
This former professional boxer, philanthropist, and social activist lived.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhamma...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
June 25, 2025
Truly the greatest and the Peoples Champion. This is one of those books where you get so much more than you thought. I have always heard of Muhammad Ali the great boxer and fighter, but that is all I knew about him his classic wars made him legendary, but what struck me now are his principles. Many people call him stubborn and cocky, but this was honour and confidence. If Muhammad Ali got an idea in his head he would do it. If he believed something was wrong there was nobody or nothing anyone could do to make him do it. The great thing about him is he did what he thought was right and (like a leader leading by example) people followed him. Yes many people did not agree with him and they have their reason for that but how can anyone not admire a man who sticks to his principles?
The book starts surprisingly with Muhammad Ali being taken back to his dressing room after one of his few defeats. His haters are going wild, and his fans and the people who love him are in shock. The book is not done in chronological order, it tends to shift between periods of his life depending on the point he is making. This book is more about Ali's greatest battles outside the ring. If you are reading this for Boxing analysis of his fights, the two main fights described this way are his first fight with Smoking Joe Frazier, and his fight with Joe Foreman towards the end of the book.
Yes, it takes courage to step into the ring and fight someone else. However, it takes even more courage to say you are not going to fight. A lot of this book is devoted to Ali's reason for not joining the War in Vietnam. His choice to become a Muslim and uphold his beliefs. This caused Ali to be a pivotal figure in American, Islamic, and Black history. His aunt said it best
"they ain't never going to give you another total shot. You are not a Black man they can't control, but a Black Muslim"
Imagine the courage of Black people standing up for their rights in the South the home of the KKK, and now all the Islam phobia that is ripe in the world today. Now think of a Black Muslim not only surviving in this environment but thriving in it and refusing to be a puppet even as the world champion, he was not an "Uncle Tom" he was a man who dictated the terms. He never shied away from a battle or fight in every arena hell he even fought for his right not to fight. If you are a fan of this great fighter you will finish this book with a new respect for him. For those who are not converted by his story, there is no hope for they will just carry on hating.
The book starts surprisingly with Muhammad Ali being taken back to his dressing room after one of his few defeats. His haters are going wild, and his fans and the people who love him are in shock. The book is not done in chronological order, it tends to shift between periods of his life depending on the point he is making. This book is more about Ali's greatest battles outside the ring. If you are reading this for Boxing analysis of his fights, the two main fights described this way are his first fight with Smoking Joe Frazier, and his fight with Joe Foreman towards the end of the book.
Yes, it takes courage to step into the ring and fight someone else. However, it takes even more courage to say you are not going to fight. A lot of this book is devoted to Ali's reason for not joining the War in Vietnam. His choice to become a Muslim and uphold his beliefs. This caused Ali to be a pivotal figure in American, Islamic, and Black history. His aunt said it best
"they ain't never going to give you another total shot. You are not a Black man they can't control, but a Black Muslim"
Imagine the courage of Black people standing up for their rights in the South the home of the KKK, and now all the Islam phobia that is ripe in the world today. Now think of a Black Muslim not only surviving in this environment but thriving in it and refusing to be a puppet even as the world champion, he was not an "Uncle Tom" he was a man who dictated the terms. He never shied away from a battle or fight in every arena hell he even fought for his right not to fight. If you are a fan of this great fighter you will finish this book with a new respect for him. For those who are not converted by his story, there is no hope for they will just carry on hating.
Read
July 21, 2020There was a time when Muhammad Ali,"the black superman"was one of the most recognizable figures on the planet.
He may not have been the greatest boxer,he did lose several fights,but he was the best at marketing himself.And he,of course,was always too full of himself.
In Pakistan,with which he had no connection whatsoever,he was a very popular figure.His conversion to the Islamic faith,was
doubtless,a factor.
He began life as Cassius Clay and as an upstart,knocked out Sonny Liston to become the heavy weight champion of the world.He also won an Olympic gold.Refusing to fight in Vietnam,he was
stripped of his title and threw his olympic gold medal in a river.
Later,he regained the title and had some memorable fights against Joe Frasier,Ken Norton and George Foreman.As a kid,I remember being awake at unearthly hours,as Pakistan television showed his fights from wherever he fought.
He lost the title again against Leon Spinks when he was well past his prime.Ali's story is dramatic enough,though I was a bit put off by his constant self aggrandizement.
The book was published long before the man who once "danced like a butterfly and stung like a bee" became a shadow of himself as Parkinson's disease ravaged him.
He may not have been the greatest boxer,he did lose several fights,but he was the best at marketing himself.And he,of course,was always too full of himself.
In Pakistan,with which he had no connection whatsoever,he was a very popular figure.His conversion to the Islamic faith,was
doubtless,a factor.
He began life as Cassius Clay and as an upstart,knocked out Sonny Liston to become the heavy weight champion of the world.He also won an Olympic gold.Refusing to fight in Vietnam,he was
stripped of his title and threw his olympic gold medal in a river.
Later,he regained the title and had some memorable fights against Joe Frasier,Ken Norton and George Foreman.As a kid,I remember being awake at unearthly hours,as Pakistan television showed his fights from wherever he fought.
He lost the title again against Leon Spinks when he was well past his prime.Ali's story is dramatic enough,though I was a bit put off by his constant self aggrandizement.
The book was published long before the man who once "danced like a butterfly and stung like a bee" became a shadow of himself as Parkinson's disease ravaged him.
May 20, 2016
One of the best books I have read on boxing. I must admit though it slows down in the middle, understandably as Ali talks about his 3 year hiatus from boxing and gets fairly political which I didn't find enormously interesting as that's been fairly well documented. The bits and insights about boxing are incredible. It really starts to pick up in the last 7 chapters when Ali talks about his comeback fights against Quarry, Frazier and of course Foreman. The rumble in the jungle fight especially is well documented and Ali talks about his training regime and what sets him apart which for any aspiring boxer (me?) was like reading gold and VERY inspirational. The best section of the book is a short 2 page letter from former heavy/light heavyweight champion of the world Archie Moore (for those that don't know of him – he WON 185 fights and had 131 knockouts) To put that into perspective – Ali only won 56 fights and had 37 knockouts. Anyway, Archie moore writes Ali a letter (‘Ali was his former student) before his fight with foreman basically telling him that he will get killed – he’s being very serious. This from a former trainer to a lesser man would have been devastating to hear but Ali knew that Moore was in the foreman camp so must have taken it with a pinch of salt. What Ali went on to do was incredibly brave in the right and outside it. There is also a shocking but incredible chapter about a black person getting castrated by a group of whites who meets Ali and has an enormous effect on him before one of his fights. If you are a (aspiring) boxer this book is a must.
July 8, 2009
I read this book when it first came out and believed every word of it. Years later, Ali acknowledged that others dictated some of the stories in it for political and promotional reasons, and that the stories were simply untrue.
The book is readable enough and some of the insights seem genuine enough. Later books, especially King of the World, by David Remnick, do Ali and the reader more justice.
The book is readable enough and some of the insights seem genuine enough. Later books, especially King of the World, by David Remnick, do Ali and the reader more justice.
March 11, 2021
Защо човек, който не се интересува от бокс ни най-малко би чел с жив интерес автобиографията на Мохамед Али? Просто е. Мохамед Али е много повече от боксьор. Касиус Клей е една от най-ярките, запомнящи се и харизматични личности на ХХ век. Личност, която достига върха, а след това използва същия този връх като висока трибуна, за да достигне до хората и да адресира проблеми и несправедливости. В това ще се убедите ако прочетете единствената официална автобиография на „Аз съм най-великият”, която излезе на български в превод от Светлана Комогорва – Комата и с логото на изд. „Кръг”. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
January 31, 2023
What a phenomenal man and story. He truly was, and still is, The Greatest. A larger than life character who had people working against him at every point in his life, and yet he still came out on top. His story made me laugh, cry, and reflect on what it means to be a good, hard working person. I learnt a lot from him, with lessons that I will take with me for a long time.
The thing with Ali, is that no one measures up to him. He wasn’t just an athlete. He was a symbol and he meant something to a lot of people (including myself). We all have a lot to learn from him, and I genuinely think this should be mandatory reading in schools.
I feel almost quite pensive coming off the back of reading this book. It’s like I’ve lost a friend, but despite that, he will always be in the back of my head.
Beautiful story about a beautiful human being.
The thing with Ali, is that no one measures up to him. He wasn’t just an athlete. He was a symbol and he meant something to a lot of people (including myself). We all have a lot to learn from him, and I genuinely think this should be mandatory reading in schools.
I feel almost quite pensive coming off the back of reading this book. It’s like I’ve lost a friend, but despite that, he will always be in the back of my head.
Beautiful story about a beautiful human being.
August 9, 2021
This is one of the best Audible books I've ever heard.
The book isn't meant to be a comprehensive history of Ali's life or career. Richard Durham clearly attempted to put Ali's best verbal anecdotes into the written word. He then punched it up a touch with context and put it in book form.
The combination of Ali's showmanship and the clean writing makes this an incredibly potent combination. This is one of the best sports biographies I've ever experienced.
Open with Andre Agassi is the only sports biography I can think of that's comparable. However, Muhammad Ali has something special that can't be rivaled. Ice-T said if you want to understand where hip hop culture came from you can look to Ali. His confidence, his rhyming, and his attitude toward life changed the world.
What sends this book into the stratosphere however is Dion Graham's insanely talented performance.
I was obsessed with Ali as a kid. I had his fights on videotape. I played them over and over. I listened to him talk constantly.
The first time I heard Dion Graham's performance of Ali I thought the champ himself was talking. His impression is impeccable. He does seemingly ten or twenty other voices flawlessly throughout the Audible production. He works with cadence to heighten tension. He adds gravity to different stories through his retelling. I was blown away the entire time I listened to this.
You also come to understand Ali much more through this autobiography. This text focuses a great deal on his decision to not serve in Vietnam. Richard Durham did a great job focusing on showing not telling. When you hear the descriptions of some of the awful things Ali experienced he becomes easy to understand.
Sheer excellence. Highly recommended.
The book isn't meant to be a comprehensive history of Ali's life or career. Richard Durham clearly attempted to put Ali's best verbal anecdotes into the written word. He then punched it up a touch with context and put it in book form.
The combination of Ali's showmanship and the clean writing makes this an incredibly potent combination. This is one of the best sports biographies I've ever experienced.
Open with Andre Agassi is the only sports biography I can think of that's comparable. However, Muhammad Ali has something special that can't be rivaled. Ice-T said if you want to understand where hip hop culture came from you can look to Ali. His confidence, his rhyming, and his attitude toward life changed the world.
What sends this book into the stratosphere however is Dion Graham's insanely talented performance.
I was obsessed with Ali as a kid. I had his fights on videotape. I played them over and over. I listened to him talk constantly.
The first time I heard Dion Graham's performance of Ali I thought the champ himself was talking. His impression is impeccable. He does seemingly ten or twenty other voices flawlessly throughout the Audible production. He works with cadence to heighten tension. He adds gravity to different stories through his retelling. I was blown away the entire time I listened to this.
You also come to understand Ali much more through this autobiography. This text focuses a great deal on his decision to not serve in Vietnam. Richard Durham did a great job focusing on showing not telling. When you hear the descriptions of some of the awful things Ali experienced he becomes easy to understand.
Sheer excellence. Highly recommended.
April 2, 2023
This book is a phenomenal book and audiobook. I listened on Audible. Muhammed Ali wrote it with Richard Durham in the 1970s when he was still fighting. I remember Ali as I was growing up and remember watching him fight a couple of times. He was larger than life. He was larger than boxing. It is so interesting to hear his words because without his words and his compelling personality he would have been just another fighter.
He had a lot of integrity as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. He and so many other were so right about that war - we should never have gone. The war was as polarizing as his objections and the consequences he paid.
There's insight into his personal life here. He wanted his first wife to be a good Muslim, but she didn't really want the same thing. By the end of his life he was married four times so he definitely had personal struggles and was somewhat chauvinistic.
All that fell away as I listened. I was entranced with the narrator who sounds like Ali without being a caricature of him. I highly recommend this book. Just remember that it is about boxing so there will be blood and blows and bravado. You can see for yourself why he became the most recognized Black person on Earth.
He had a lot of integrity as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. He and so many other were so right about that war - we should never have gone. The war was as polarizing as his objections and the consequences he paid.
There's insight into his personal life here. He wanted his first wife to be a good Muslim, but she didn't really want the same thing. By the end of his life he was married four times so he definitely had personal struggles and was somewhat chauvinistic.
All that fell away as I listened. I was entranced with the narrator who sounds like Ali without being a caricature of him. I highly recommend this book. Just remember that it is about boxing so there will be blood and blows and bravado. You can see for yourself why he became the most recognized Black person on Earth.
June 15, 2024
Muhammad Ali was a transformative man in a transformative time. Rarely in sports does a new athlete proclaim himself the Greatest, and time and performance proved him right. He was scoffed at, often vilified for his politics, his religious choices, his social choices, but his beautiful performances in the boxing ring and his brilliant marketing outside the ring eventually made everyone come around to his proclamation that he said so brashly… “I am the greatest”
This book tell his story in his own words.
This book tell his story in his own words.
January 17, 2013
الحمدرب العالمين
قصة حياة محمد على كما أملاها.
قصة حياة محمد على كما أملاها.
December 8, 2022
Found this for $4, bought it on a whim, very much enjoyed it. The focus is not on every single fight, in fact, it might help to read through Ali's Wikipedia-page first as things jump and details remain unexplained, but the focus is much more on the politics of Ali's time, and his losses. His conscientious objection to the Vietnam part understandable takes up a large part of the book; as does his growing up in a segregated area, almost getting killed by motorcycle Nazis after winning gold at the Olympics (which back then was a much smaller affair, apparently! he won when he wasn't even a professional boxer), what led to his divorce, some of his work with the Church of Islam, and ultimately, deeper analyses of his defeats.
The honesty in these defeats is what makes these books so good, and Ali says himself, analysing his defeats made him a better fighter as others usually just forgot. That's the main lesson here for me: falling is important as long as you learn what made you fall, and act on your insights. You will be better for it, better than you would've been without the fall.
The honesty in these defeats is what makes these books so good, and Ali says himself, analysing his defeats made him a better fighter as others usually just forgot. That's the main lesson here for me: falling is important as long as you learn what made you fall, and act on your insights. You will be better for it, better than you would've been without the fall.
November 16, 2015
محمد علي كلاي، منذ اللحظة الأولى التي ترى فيها وجهه وتسمع أسمه تجد شىء يجذبك إليه ويربطك به، لا تعلم حقيقة تلك الحالة، ولكنك تستشعر بأنك قريب منه، هو سر يختفي بين تفاصيل نضاله ومعاناته مع أبناء جيله من أصحاب البشرة السمراء في بلاد العم سام، قبل أن أقراء تلك السيرة كنت أستشعر كل تلك الأحاسيس وبعد قراءتي إزدادت وتفاقمت وتشعبت بداخلي مصاحبة برغبة ملحة في بقاء تلك الحالة وتأجيج ذلك الشعور فمجرد وجوده يضفي علي حالة من الصفاء والأمان والراحة لم أستشعرها مع أقرب البشر إليّ، يبدو لي أن تلك الحالة هي طاقة تتولد مع كل من يستطيع أن يجعل من تلك القيم السامية كائن حي ينبض بداخله ويحيا في نعيم الخلود الإنساني، إن كل تفاصيل حياته تجعلني أقتنع أنه أسطورة بحق، تعايشت معه إنفعالته ورغباته وأفكاره ومعاناته بلا ملل وبلا ضيق بل على العكس كانت تلازمني أمنية بألا تنتهي تلك الصفحات وتمتد طويلا حتى تستوعب روحي تلك الطاقة الإيمانية والتي تسكن خلايا ذلك البطل.
أحببته وأغبطته ورغبت في التعرف عليه أكثر من أي شخص آخر.
أحببته وأغبطته ورغبت في التعرف عليه أكثر من أي شخص آخر.
December 7, 2021
There was once a man named Cassius Clay,
He fought for the title and came a long way,
He became a Muslim, changed his name,
As Muhammad Ali, he grew proud of his fame,
The trouble began when he refused to fight
The Vietnamese, who happened to be non-white.
The boxing commissioner tried to destroy his fame,
By taking his title and filling it with shame.
The black people were mad because he was treated as bad,
They thought he was the greatest fighter they ever had.
So Muhammad went from place to place,
Preaching that war was a racial disgrace.
When the war was over they let him fight,
And he tried to win all his might.
First he lost, but he didn't stop,
Until he was back on top.
Now here's the latest,
Ali is the greatest!
He fought for the title and came a long way,
He became a Muslim, changed his name,
As Muhammad Ali, he grew proud of his fame,
The trouble began when he refused to fight
The Vietnamese, who happened to be non-white.
The boxing commissioner tried to destroy his fame,
By taking his title and filling it with shame.
The black people were mad because he was treated as bad,
They thought he was the greatest fighter they ever had.
So Muhammad went from place to place,
Preaching that war was a racial disgrace.
When the war was over they let him fight,
And he tried to win all his might.
First he lost, but he didn't stop,
Until he was back on top.
Now here's the latest,
Ali is the greatest!
March 31, 2015
I very much enjoyed this book. Not only did it give me the insights into Ali's thought processes both in and out of the ring, but I was also surprised at the insights offered on the "race war". It was nice to get a new perspective on the situation in those days and it definitely challenged some of my own preconceived notions.
November 27, 2012
My copy was a gift and was a paperback. Given as "joke" gift in the late 1970's. I won't explain. Did I ever read it? I can only say maybe but it was on my shelf for a while anyway. My 900th book added to the "read" list. Date read is a guess...
December 15, 2015
I won this book from Goodreads. I loved this book. That is not to say that The Greatest is the greatest book but it brought me back to my youth. I grew up watching Ali and he was one of the most remarkable figures of our time or any time. To relive his life through his eyes was a great read for me.
August 21, 2016
I mourn his death even more now
July 22, 2020
Nedanstående avslöjar med stor tydlighet vem som har varit en av mina stora förebilder.
Det hela började natten till den 27 juni 1959.
Sex år gammal lyssnade jag tillsammans med min far på Radio Luxemburg och Lars Henrik Ottossons direktreferat från Yankee Stadium i New York: Ingemar Johansson besegrade Floyd Patterson i tungviktsboxning och blev världsmästare.
Det var där och då som mitt stora intresse för "The noble art of selfdefence" föddes.
Redan sedan Jim Corbett blev den första mästaren i "modern boxning" 1892, har det funnits ett speciellt skimmer kring världsmästartiteln i boxning och speciellt då i tungvikt.
Huruvida det kan vara klokt att "slå varandra på käften" i denna sport har diskuterats i det oändliga. Jag har min uppfattning som jag inte går vidare med här.
Det har funnits många färgstarka stjärnor och mästare genom åren men ingen lyser mer än Mohammad Ali.
När han 1964 erövrade titeln från Sonny Liston förstod världen att något höll på att hända med sporten. Hans teknik och sätt att röra på sig i ringen bröt mot tidigare mönster. Men det var inte bara i boxningsringen som Ali satte avtryck.
I boken "Den störste" möter vi Ali både i och utanför ringen där han med egna ord beskriver en del av sina matcher, hur han utmanövrerar sina motståndare, först verbalt med sina berömda profetior på vers, men också hans engagemang i olika samhällsfrågor.Han tog tidigt avstånd mot det vita etablissemanget i USA och i boken beskriver han hur han bl.a. markerade detta genom att kasta sin guldmedalj från OS i Rom 1960, i Ohiofloden i hemstaden Louisville.
Han beskriver också t.ex. när han blev medlem av Black Muslim-rörelsen och hans vägran att inställa sig till militärtjänstgöring i Vietnam vilket kostade honom hans världsmästartitel plus 5 års avstängning från boxningen, som sedan förkortades till 3.
Hans röst hördes dock även under denna tid, speciellt när det handlade om rasism och sociala orättvisor i USA. Efter avstängningen gjorde Ali en bejublad comeback i ringen och fortsatte att sätta sina avtryck även där.
Mohammad Alis betydelse för sporten var enorm. Varhelst han drog fram blev det en massiv medial genomlysning av det mesta som han sa och gjorde.
Boken "Den störste" är ett måste för en "Ali-freak" (som undertecknad) men rekommenderas för den som är allmänt intresserad av boxning OCH kanske ännu mer för den som har en mer tveksam inställning till sporten. Ali är så mycket mera vilket framkommer tydligt i boken.
Det hela började natten till den 27 juni 1959.
Sex år gammal lyssnade jag tillsammans med min far på Radio Luxemburg och Lars Henrik Ottossons direktreferat från Yankee Stadium i New York: Ingemar Johansson besegrade Floyd Patterson i tungviktsboxning och blev världsmästare.
Det var där och då som mitt stora intresse för "The noble art of selfdefence" föddes.
Redan sedan Jim Corbett blev den första mästaren i "modern boxning" 1892, har det funnits ett speciellt skimmer kring världsmästartiteln i boxning och speciellt då i tungvikt.
Huruvida det kan vara klokt att "slå varandra på käften" i denna sport har diskuterats i det oändliga. Jag har min uppfattning som jag inte går vidare med här.
Det har funnits många färgstarka stjärnor och mästare genom åren men ingen lyser mer än Mohammad Ali.
När han 1964 erövrade titeln från Sonny Liston förstod världen att något höll på att hända med sporten. Hans teknik och sätt att röra på sig i ringen bröt mot tidigare mönster. Men det var inte bara i boxningsringen som Ali satte avtryck.
I boken "Den störste" möter vi Ali både i och utanför ringen där han med egna ord beskriver en del av sina matcher, hur han utmanövrerar sina motståndare, först verbalt med sina berömda profetior på vers, men också hans engagemang i olika samhällsfrågor.Han tog tidigt avstånd mot det vita etablissemanget i USA och i boken beskriver han hur han bl.a. markerade detta genom att kasta sin guldmedalj från OS i Rom 1960, i Ohiofloden i hemstaden Louisville.
Han beskriver också t.ex. när han blev medlem av Black Muslim-rörelsen och hans vägran att inställa sig till militärtjänstgöring i Vietnam vilket kostade honom hans världsmästartitel plus 5 års avstängning från boxningen, som sedan förkortades till 3.
Hans röst hördes dock även under denna tid, speciellt när det handlade om rasism och sociala orättvisor i USA. Efter avstängningen gjorde Ali en bejublad comeback i ringen och fortsatte att sätta sina avtryck även där.
Mohammad Alis betydelse för sporten var enorm. Varhelst han drog fram blev det en massiv medial genomlysning av det mesta som han sa och gjorde.
Boken "Den störste" är ett måste för en "Ali-freak" (som undertecknad) men rekommenderas för den som är allmänt intresserad av boxning OCH kanske ännu mer för den som har en mer tveksam inställning till sporten. Ali är så mycket mera vilket framkommer tydligt i boken.
July 27, 2019
What a fasicnating individual. A cultural icon. A warrior. I guess I didn't realize how much heart Muhammad Ali put in the ring. It wasn't just razzle dazzle and flamboyance. The dude went toe to toe with some of the hardest hitters of recent memory. While going through this story, I pulled up some of Ali's fights on YouTube, and you could see the endurance he maintained just to stay on his feet. He was dog tired, yet he never gave up. You can tell after his three year ban from the sport that he had lost much of his quickness. Yet he had the commensurate grit to stay in the game for another ten years. My respect for Joe Frazier grew as well. The guy was a machine. He never backed down. I'm sure the inspiration of the Rocky movies must have come from the bravado and grind of fights such as Thriller in Manila and Rumble in the Jungle.
Even despite his flamboyance, Ali seemed good-natured. This autobiography highlights that, but, of course, this was told from Ali's perspective. I would've loved to have gotten Joe Frazier's take as well, as I know their relationship had grown sour after their first fight. It is books like these that make me ponder life. There's something tragic about this storyline. I like Ali. Seems like he wanted nothing more than to be loved, but I think he got caught up in stardom. Chasing ambition and making a name for oneself is not what it's cracked up to be. Overtones of Ecclesiastes are all over and through this work.
This is a fascinating biography in American culture and sports history. I listened to an audio version of this and it was one of the best I've encountered. Dion Graham did an amazing Ali voice. And he was great with the other voices as well, especially Frazier. My only complaint of the storyline is that it was fragmented. No seeming rationale for where it began and where it ended, or even the flow in between. But the narration was superb. I would even venture to say, that instead of reading the book, one should consider listening to this audio version. It's Grammy-level work.
Even despite his flamboyance, Ali seemed good-natured. This autobiography highlights that, but, of course, this was told from Ali's perspective. I would've loved to have gotten Joe Frazier's take as well, as I know their relationship had grown sour after their first fight. It is books like these that make me ponder life. There's something tragic about this storyline. I like Ali. Seems like he wanted nothing more than to be loved, but I think he got caught up in stardom. Chasing ambition and making a name for oneself is not what it's cracked up to be. Overtones of Ecclesiastes are all over and through this work.
This is a fascinating biography in American culture and sports history. I listened to an audio version of this and it was one of the best I've encountered. Dion Graham did an amazing Ali voice. And he was great with the other voices as well, especially Frazier. My only complaint of the storyline is that it was fragmented. No seeming rationale for where it began and where it ended, or even the flow in between. But the narration was superb. I would even venture to say, that instead of reading the book, one should consider listening to this audio version. It's Grammy-level work.
December 18, 2024
Muhammad Ali's remarkable legacy as both a boxer and a humanitarian. His transition from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali symbolizes not only his evolution in the sport but also his commitment to his beliefs and values. The descriptions of him as heroic, inspirational, charitable, loving, and a champion highlight the multifaceted nature of his character.
Ali's phrase "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" exemplifies his unique fighting style and charisma that captivated fans worldwide, solidifying his reputation as "The Greatest of All Time" (G.O.A.T.). His impressive career record of 56 wins, 5 losses, and 37 knockouts, along with his achievement of being the only three-time world heavyweight champion, underscores his talent and dominance in the sport.
Fighting iconic opponents like George Foreman and Joe Frazier further cements his status as one of the greatest boxers in history. Ultimately, Ali's impact extended far beyond the boxing ring, as he became a symbol of courage, social justice, and resilience, leaving an indelible mark on sports and society as a whole.
Ali's phrase "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" exemplifies his unique fighting style and charisma that captivated fans worldwide, solidifying his reputation as "The Greatest of All Time" (G.O.A.T.). His impressive career record of 56 wins, 5 losses, and 37 knockouts, along with his achievement of being the only three-time world heavyweight champion, underscores his talent and dominance in the sport.
Fighting iconic opponents like George Foreman and Joe Frazier further cements his status as one of the greatest boxers in history. Ultimately, Ali's impact extended far beyond the boxing ring, as he became a symbol of courage, social justice, and resilience, leaving an indelible mark on sports and society as a whole.
January 21, 2023
Buku ini sebenarnya dtemukan tahun 2018-2019 (sebelum Covid mampir) tertimbum ditumpukan paling bahwa karena bentuknya hard. Dibaca putus sambung sekian lama. Sampai akhirnya selesai tahun ini.
Sosok petinju legendaris sepanjang masa.
Saat kecil, saya yang kurang paham olah raga, hanay tahu bahwa jika petinju ini muncul di tv, banyak yang menonton. Ia tak hanya menyajikan seni bertinju namun juga pertunjukan yang berkelas. Saat ia menyalakan obor dengan tangan yang gemetar, menjadi sebuah bukti semangat olah raga yang tak pernah padam.
Meski ini adalah biografi, tapi bisa dijadikan buku motivasi, tentang bagaimana seorang menjalani kehidupan dengan semangat dan rasa positif.
Sosok petinju legendaris sepanjang masa.
Saat kecil, saya yang kurang paham olah raga, hanay tahu bahwa jika petinju ini muncul di tv, banyak yang menonton. Ia tak hanya menyajikan seni bertinju namun juga pertunjukan yang berkelas. Saat ia menyalakan obor dengan tangan yang gemetar, menjadi sebuah bukti semangat olah raga yang tak pernah padam.
Meski ini adalah biografi, tapi bisa dijadikan buku motivasi, tentang bagaimana seorang menjalani kehidupan dengan semangat dan rasa positif.
April 30, 2020
A very solid read that I didn’t expect to be so well written. It’s a autobiography that he wrote 40 years before he died. This book dug into a lot of Ali’s thoughts that you normally don’t hear about such as the death threats he faced over his religion, skin color, and refusal to fight in Vietnam. Ali stood for what he believed in and never shied away from letting people know what he thought. The book is almost a 50/50 split on civil rights/political issues and the boxing stories one would expect from the book. I was impressed how one chapter could get your blood boiling over 1950s racism and then the next seamlessly transition to a training montage that would get you motivated to go outside and run for miles.
February 13, 2025
The People's Champion never disappoints. Such a propulsive and narrative driven memoir, Ali tells his story as a world-renowned boxer, but also as a principled person. Whether that's expressing his civil rights or religious freedom, he never backed down from a fight inside or outside the ring. I also appreciated the vulnerability of his writing, not skipping over his flaws (see the chapter he co-authors with his ex-wife who rightfully calls out his double standards).
Excellent memoir and excellent audiobook.
Excellent memoir and excellent audiobook.
January 11, 2023
Ali, this man was in pain. On the line for him in each fight was everything. He doged, he moved and fought his heart out. He made tall claims and jumped higher than them. Name the biggest and meanest he fought them all. An all-time winner, true to both his names, the steadfast the gallant, Muhammad Ali!
May 25, 2017
I got through 300 pages and decided I just cannot continue. I feel guilty for not finishing it, but I just cannot do it. Once I got to the transcription of the conversation with Joe Fraizer I had to call it quits, it couldn't hold my interest. I have a lot of conflicted feelings about not finishing the book, but it might take me weeks more and I would resent reading it.
His story seems like it is very interesting, although after reading reviews it sounds like some of it may have been fictionalized, if what they say is accurate. However, the way it is told couldn't hold my attention to the end, it seemed to move a bit slow for me.
His story seems like it is very interesting, although after reading reviews it sounds like some of it may have been fictionalized, if what they say is accurate. However, the way it is told couldn't hold my attention to the end, it seemed to move a bit slow for me.
October 17, 2020
Reading this book helps you to understand why Ali was Ali, his passion and drive to be a success, and the pain behind it all that empowered the character we all loved. Covering boxing, racism and integrity.
February 14, 2022
i didn't even care about boxing when i started this book but muhammad ali won me over
June 2, 2022
The Greatest, in and out of the ring.
Without a doubt one of the most unique and influential athlete of the century.
An incredibly compelling read.
Without a doubt one of the most unique and influential athlete of the century.
An incredibly compelling read.
May 24, 2024
Beautiful book. Sad to finish it. Wish it just kept going.
July 13, 2025
Going to take this inspiration and turn it into a maximum of two weeks regimented working out
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