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Ali: An American Champion
The life story of Muhammad Ali is interwoven with moments in American history in this full-color biography.
From the Civil Rights Movement to the Rome Olympics, from joining the Nation of Islam to refusing to fight in Vietnam, Muhammad Ali's life is interwoven with historical moments throughout the twentieth century to today.
From the Civil Rights Movement to the Rome Olympics, from joining the Nation of Islam to refusing to fight in Vietnam, Muhammad Ali's life is interwoven with historical moments throughout the twentieth century to today.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published December 2, 1989
8 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Barry Denenberg
47 books82 followersBarry Denenberg is the critically acclaimed author of non-fiction and historical fiction. His historical fiction includes titles in the Dear America, My Name is America, and Royal Diaries series, many of which have been named NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. His nonfiction books have covered a wide array of topics, from Anne Frank to Elvis Presley. After the publication of An American Hero: The True Story of Charles Lindburgh, Denenberg was interviewed for various documentaries including ABC’s “The Century.”
Denenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived in Long Island, Binghamton, New York, and Palisades Park, New Jersey. “I was a serious reader from an early age and when I attended Boston University in 1968, majoring in history, I worked in a bookstore at night,” he says. “After college I was a book buyer for some fine, independent bookstores, some of the nation’s largest retail book chains and a marketing executive in publishing.
“At the age of forty I came to the startling realization that the glamorous world of power lunches, power politics, and power trips was not for me. I immediately went to work on the Great American Novel (since destroyed) and was rescued when my future wife, Jean Feiwel (then and now publisher of Scholastic Inc.) made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Scholastic had received a biography of John F. Kennedy that they deemed unacceptable: would I like to try and write one?
“The rest is history in more ways than one. I went on to write biographies of Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, J. Edgar Hoover, Nelson Mandela, Elvis Presley and Voices From Vietnam, an oral history of the war.
“Writing some of the first books in the Dear America series was a turning point in my career. Its popularity and the resulting readers’ letters made a great impression on me. This in turn inspired my writing and fueled my research. With my bookstore background and the help of numerous knowledgeable booksellers I am able to assemble an extensive bibliography on each topic I write.
“I think there’s an art to both writing and research. I’m a good writer but a better researcher.”
Something that has added greatly to Denenberg’s perspective on writing for young readers is his volunteer work as Director of Creative Writing and Library Services at the Waterside School in Stamford, Connecticut. Waterside, established in 2001, is an independent school dedicated to educating gifted children of the communities’ low-income families.
Aside from writing and teaching Denenberg’s interests include listening to music, reading (books not related to his research), swimming, practicing yoga and spending time with his family.
Barry Denenberg lives in Bedford, New York with his wife and daughter.
Denenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived in Long Island, Binghamton, New York, and Palisades Park, New Jersey. “I was a serious reader from an early age and when I attended Boston University in 1968, majoring in history, I worked in a bookstore at night,” he says. “After college I was a book buyer for some fine, independent bookstores, some of the nation’s largest retail book chains and a marketing executive in publishing.
“At the age of forty I came to the startling realization that the glamorous world of power lunches, power politics, and power trips was not for me. I immediately went to work on the Great American Novel (since destroyed) and was rescued when my future wife, Jean Feiwel (then and now publisher of Scholastic Inc.) made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Scholastic had received a biography of John F. Kennedy that they deemed unacceptable: would I like to try and write one?
“The rest is history in more ways than one. I went on to write biographies of Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, J. Edgar Hoover, Nelson Mandela, Elvis Presley and Voices From Vietnam, an oral history of the war.
“Writing some of the first books in the Dear America series was a turning point in my career. Its popularity and the resulting readers’ letters made a great impression on me. This in turn inspired my writing and fueled my research. With my bookstore background and the help of numerous knowledgeable booksellers I am able to assemble an extensive bibliography on each topic I write.
“I think there’s an art to both writing and research. I’m a good writer but a better researcher.”
Something that has added greatly to Denenberg’s perspective on writing for young readers is his volunteer work as Director of Creative Writing and Library Services at the Waterside School in Stamford, Connecticut. Waterside, established in 2001, is an independent school dedicated to educating gifted children of the communities’ low-income families.
Aside from writing and teaching Denenberg’s interests include listening to music, reading (books not related to his research), swimming, practicing yoga and spending time with his family.
Barry Denenberg lives in Bedford, New York with his wife and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 5, 2017
Almost as much a memoir of the times starting with Ali's birth in 1942 and continuing for 70 years. Wonderful photos and illustrations. I had a little trouble getting used to the fictional news reporting style, but in the end was worth reading. Kept my interest. Perfect for a teen reader.
November 26, 2019
I like this book because It shares all of the details of Muhammad Ali even where he lives now In Berrien Springs, Michigan and it shows pictures of him while he was boxing
October 11, 2019
so far this book is good and it talks a bout a boxer an american champion and i love boxing favorite sport and it shows other things like rosa parks during ali time .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2017
The fantabulous biography, “Ali: An American Champion”, written by Barry Denenberg, is about Muhammad Ali, a world-famous boxer who called himself the “Greatest”. The novel began with describing his childhood in a lower middle class family in Louisville, Kentucky. One day, young Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, was furious because someone stole his brand-new bike. Cassius swore vengeance. He then enrolled at a small boxing academy, where he practiced vigorously for two hours every day. He even worked small part-time jobs to get enough money to keep boxing. Cassius started to develop his own, butterfly-like technique in boxing, making him very agile, fast, and reactive. Cassius then went to the Golden Boxing Gloves national tournament and won! After this, he became a man of fame, not only for his boxing skills, but also for his actions towards eliminating racism against African Americans.
Overall, the book was written pretty well with good usage of concise, precise language. I really like that the author made the text in the book look like article clippings with very good, high quality photos. I also like how the author made a huge timeline in the back of the book to help the reader grasp the main ideas of the story easily. It would have been a bit better if the author took some more pictures of Ali’s legacy, such as the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky. All in all, the book was a decent, quick read and would be very good for those doing research projects on the world’s most legendary boxing champion!
Overall, the book was written pretty well with good usage of concise, precise language. I really like that the author made the text in the book look like article clippings with very good, high quality photos. I also like how the author made a huge timeline in the back of the book to help the reader grasp the main ideas of the story easily. It would have been a bit better if the author took some more pictures of Ali’s legacy, such as the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky. All in all, the book was a decent, quick read and would be very good for those doing research projects on the world’s most legendary boxing champion!
December 5, 2016
"Ali: An American Champion" is the story of famed boxing champion Muhammad Ali. The biography is told as though it is happening in real time. Photographs, report cards, newspaper articles, interviews, letters to the editor, and "breaking news" radio and TV transmissions are created by the author from extensive research. This book talks about his childhood, how Ali started to practice boxing, and his boxing career until he retired. Ali sacrificed his life for doing things that he enjoyed. Barry Denenberg talks about how Ali's opponent punched him so hard in his face that he couldn't see, but Ali still never gave up. Even though he couldn't see, he won!
This illustrated biography will be appreciated by none interested in 20th century American history. This book may be confusing to young readers because it uses primary documents. Extensive resources are included in the back of the book. This book is an interesting portrait of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. It charts Ali's evolution from Black Nationalism to universalism. Muhammad Ali has kept boxing alive.
This illustrated biography will be appreciated by none interested in 20th century American history. This book may be confusing to young readers because it uses primary documents. Extensive resources are included in the back of the book. This book is an interesting portrait of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. It charts Ali's evolution from Black Nationalism to universalism. Muhammad Ali has kept boxing alive.
February 2, 2015
An account of the career of Olympic Gold Medalist, and American Boxer, the controversial Muhammad Ali. Denenberg uses fictional interviews, newspaper stories and media releases to give this biography a realistic feel. Also included is civil rights news of the time.
While the photographs are authentic, and a bibliography is included, the fact that the text is represented as media from the time is disappointing. I would rather read actual news articles, radio transcripts and interviews. Is this a book about Civil Rights and Viet Nam? Is it a biography of Muhammad Ali? Denenberg has done his research and he tells a good story, but there is too much other stuff. The collection of information that isn’t really the primary sources that it looks like might be misleading to a young reader. I’m glad I read the author’s note at the beginning.
While the photographs are authentic, and a bibliography is included, the fact that the text is represented as media from the time is disappointing. I would rather read actual news articles, radio transcripts and interviews. Is this a book about Civil Rights and Viet Nam? Is it a biography of Muhammad Ali? Denenberg has done his research and he tells a good story, but there is too much other stuff. The collection of information that isn’t really the primary sources that it looks like might be misleading to a young reader. I’m glad I read the author’s note at the beginning.
December 5, 2015
In Ali, Denenberg utilizes a scrapbook approach to document the life of Muhammad Ali. Combining news articles, letters to the editor, television and radio transcripts (all penned by Denenberg himself but based on meticulous research) with photographs spanning Ali's career and personal life, Ali tells the story of the mouthy boxer in the context of historical and political events. The use of imagined news sources is helpful in providing unbiased coverage of the subject - readers see instances of both Ali's hubris and humility. The scope of the work goes beyond detailing Ali's major wins and losses and also examines his place in the Nation of Islam, the Civil Rights Movement, and resistance to the Vietnam War. This biography is appropriate for middle school students interested in sports, history, or politics.
Ages 10-14
Ages 10-14
May 19, 2016
This book talks about the life of Muhammad Ali. It talks about his childhood, how he started to practice boxing, and his boxing career until he retired.
I like this book because it´s about a person without resources. He sacrificed his life for doing the things that he enjoyed. I really like the part in the book when the opponent punched him so hard in his face that he couldn´t see. But he never gave up. Even though he couldn´t see, he won the combat! That part showed me a good lesson about life. Although things are going bad, you can´t give up. If you continue you will be able to overtake the difficulty, and the recompense it will be better than the sacrifice.
I like this book because it´s about a person without resources. He sacrificed his life for doing the things that he enjoyed. I really like the part in the book when the opponent punched him so hard in his face that he couldn´t see. But he never gave up. Even though he couldn´t see, he won the combat! That part showed me a good lesson about life. Although things are going bad, you can´t give up. If you continue you will be able to overtake the difficulty, and the recompense it will be better than the sacrifice.
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April 26, 2015Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali when he joined the Nation of Islam in the 1960s. A legendary King of Boxing, Ali made everyone cry as he lit the torch fire at the 1996 Olympics Games in Atlanta. Using diverse types of primary sources, the book reveals a real "Ali" whose courage, integrity, and persistence led him to victory and success.
August 12, 2016
A biography of the boxer Muhammad Ali that tells as much about the time period as about his life. Denenberg chronicles Ali's life with the events of the time that are both relevant and enlightening. This illustrated biography will be appreciated by anyone interested in 20th century American history.
July 2, 2015
bookaday #43. Everything you wanted to know about the boxing champ, presented in fictionalized news and media outlets, which may be confusing to young readers as they resemble primary documents, especially some article comments. extensive resources in the back
October 9, 2014
Good book!
December 31, 2014
The life and times of Muhammad Ali through newspaper articles and artifacts from his life.
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December 20, 2017The title of this book is An American Champion. The author of this book is Barry Denenberg. This book is about a young boxer named Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr who grows up to becoming the greatest fighter in the world. He was born January 17 1942, in Louisville,Kentucky. He was about 11 years old when he started fighting.
He loved to box, he was one of the most quickest most strongest boxers from Louisville,Kentucky. He became the heavyweight champion of the world. After winning his first 19 fights including 15 knockouts he received his first title shot against reigning heavyweight champion Sonny Liston in february 25, 1964. June 20 1967 his career took a turn for the worst, he was convicted of draft evasion sentenced to 5 years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for 3 years. He then returned to the ring October 26 1970. He fought Jerry Quarry in atlanta and knocked him out in the 3rd round.
Muhammad ali won 6 national golden gloves titles, an Ametuer Athletic Union National Title, and the Light Heavyweight Gold Medal in 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. His ametuer record was 100 wins to 5 losses. He had the best record which made him the best all around fighter in the world. If your wondering why he changed his name from Cassius Clay Jr to Muhammad Ali is because Cassius Clay Jr was his slave name, but most people referred to Muhammad Ali ( Cassius Clay Jr ) as “The Greatest”. He died from a septic shock in June 3rd 2016. He will always be remebered but not only for being the greatest fighter but for how much of a good person he was. He was one of my most favorite boxers after Floyd Mayweather.
He loved to box, he was one of the most quickest most strongest boxers from Louisville,Kentucky. He became the heavyweight champion of the world. After winning his first 19 fights including 15 knockouts he received his first title shot against reigning heavyweight champion Sonny Liston in february 25, 1964. June 20 1967 his career took a turn for the worst, he was convicted of draft evasion sentenced to 5 years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for 3 years. He then returned to the ring October 26 1970. He fought Jerry Quarry in atlanta and knocked him out in the 3rd round.
Muhammad ali won 6 national golden gloves titles, an Ametuer Athletic Union National Title, and the Light Heavyweight Gold Medal in 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. His ametuer record was 100 wins to 5 losses. He had the best record which made him the best all around fighter in the world. If your wondering why he changed his name from Cassius Clay Jr to Muhammad Ali is because Cassius Clay Jr was his slave name, but most people referred to Muhammad Ali ( Cassius Clay Jr ) as “The Greatest”. He died from a septic shock in June 3rd 2016. He will always be remebered but not only for being the greatest fighter but for how much of a good person he was. He was one of my most favorite boxers after Floyd Mayweather.
September 23, 2018
This book is an amazing biography about the "Greatest" boxer Muhammad Ali. I consider this book to be a more advanced level read. He was upset one day during his childhood when someone stole his bike. He decided to take his anger out with boxing. He became in love with boxing and and Golden Boxing Gloves national tournament. Overall, many quality photos with great text.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews