Reach!: Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power

by Laila Ali, David Ritz

With an undefeated 100 boxing record, Laila Ali can definitely hold her own in the ring. She has received a firestorm of media coverage, and her recent bout with Jacqui Frazier was the most highly publicized female boxing fight ever. Now, she offers her formula for physical, emotional, and mental power in a motivational memoir that delivers 15 rounds of straight-talking, hard-hitting advice. She reveals how she overcame child abuse, weight issues, isolation, and overall bad behavior by tenaciously developing a talent that she enjoyedprofessional boxing. She demonstrates how to sidestep feelings of self-pity and defeatism and achieve success in all diet, family, personal relationships, physical training, and more. Combining spiritual inspiration with practical guidance, Laila Alis program will show readers of all ages and backgrounds how to transform the demons of self-doubt into positive, winning energy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Personal Development, Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2002

Reviews

[Mediaman · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's nothing inspirational in this book--Ali defensively goes through her rough childhood and teen years for most of the pages, then rushes through her boxing career to end her story in 2002. The updated version adds three pages that summarize 2002 to 2017. So the book is incredibly incomplete and despite what the title claims, there is little strength to be found here. Ali comes across as a thug, a bully, and a woman who thinks she has incredibly good looks which others should appreciate. She brushes aside her teenage abortion, blames others for her being in jail for months, and never seems to accept who she really is. Most of the book ends up being whining about how she felt mistreated or ignored by parents that were far from ideal. In truth she made a lot of bad choices and there's no evidence here that she every really turned her life around. It needs a complete rewrite with an emphasis on the positive instead of the negative, and needs lessons learned from the mistakes she made. Otherwise the way it's written now makes it worthless and disappointing.

[Sara Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a lot more interesting then I thought it was going to be. I had no idea about the struggles of Laila Ali. I envy her for her confidence and her boxing career. I love how real she is in this book. I expected a little more dishonesty in order to protect her fathers name. There are good lessons to be learned from her especially for young women.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good summer read for teenage young ladies....

[Lesley Trippensee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have to say, didn't really care for this book. I'd be interested to read it if it were written by Ms. Ali now, as opposed to when she was only 23. I was disappointed that the vast majority of the book focused on her childhood. As a pioneer in women's boxing, I was hoping there would be more coverage and emphasis on her training, career, etc. I mean, of course, people would expect her to at the very least touch on her childhood, given her lineage, but more than half the book covers a period of time before she even started training. And between you and me, the writing felt quite amateur, although I suppose that's to be expected given her age at the time.

I felt that the tone to be argumentative and combative, in a way that turned me off almost immediately. It would be one thing if she was telling of certain events with the explanation of how she handled it at the time, with a certain attitude, but there never seemed to be any reflection or admittance that it probably wasn't right, or this is how/what I learned... One such passage recalled how she was caught shoplifting and, while in custody and at the hearing, was defiant and putting on airs 'cause she was strong and wouldn't take anything from anyone. Ummm... you broke the law. There's nothing morally ambiguous here- say your sorry. Or, now that you're an adult, at least admit it was wrong.

I also felt that that was a degree of disingenuous throughout much of the book. Obviously, that's just my own feeling. But many things just didn't ring true, and felt staged. Some of which includes how she talked about her parents. Everyone of us has flaws, some of them BIG, but you can still be a good person. I certainly don't dispute that, but she went on and on about what a hero her dad was and how great her mom was (with the exception of a period of time when she was in a certain relationship). She referenced how some of her "step-siblings" (really her half siblings, not step) harbored resentment towards her mom. No offense, but can you blame them? Her mom started an affair with Ali years before he and his wife at the time were divorced, and also got pregnant before the divorce. Of course there was resentment. Things happen, no one is a saint, and it takes two to tango, but you can hardly be surprised that there was bitterness regarding the situation.

Any way, that was just my take. Another person in my book club felt almost the exact opposite. So, to each their own. She definitely was instrumental in bringing women's boxing to the forefront, and has lived through many hardships, and came out the other side. I just didn't particularly enjoy reading this book.

[Jaime]

My husband checked this book out for me from the library after hearing an interview with the author on a sports podcast because he thought she would be someone I would admire. He was right! It's a fascinating story about a unique childhood and a troubled but fiercely independent young woman's rise to success.

[Chloe Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book! It was really great reading more about Laila's life. I enjoyed it, and like the little life lessons she has sprinkled throughout. It would be a great book for young women to read (middle school through earlier 20s, I think!). Laila is super cool and I love her Capricorn energy!

[RYCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this memoir, particularly the way she shares her relationship with her mom. Oh man, that was beautiful...and touching! Overall, the book is short but powerful. Really liked it. Read soft copy 2017/2002 copyright.

[Ashrafi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful Srory

A powerful insight into Laila Alis early life. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for everyone to read whether your a boxing fan or not!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Awesome book. Very inspiring words and encouragement for up and coming young ladies or actually men. These are words to live by
.

[Graemme Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Truthful and insightful. A must read!

[Laila Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book to read at the start of your 20s.

[Annie Oosterwyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been a boxing fan, but when a 9th grade non-reader said she liked boxing, I looked around for something appropriate.
This was a pretty good read. Laila Ali is the daughter of Muhammed Ali, so of course there were multiple layers of interest. She describes her journey through life, her goals, her relationships and how she achieved what she did. The language is accessible and very concrete.

[Misshaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in a day! Whenever I would see Laila speak to the media I was always moved by her honesty, assertion and positivity. So when I saw this book I picked it up and couldn't wait to reach it. In Reach, Laila talks about her childhood, her parents and the obstacles she overcame. I was inspired by her honesty, I think alot of people will be able to relate to her because she doesn't present the picture perfect youth. She has a very mature way of thinking about her parents. Some people would be angry because they were neglected by their parents but she doesn't carry anger or bitterness. She recognizes that parents are humans too with complicated lives. But even though she went through some rough experiences she came out on top by finding her strength, spirit and Personal Power! I think this is a great book for young women to read. If I had a teen book club I would recommend this book.

[Christalla Ta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laila Ali like so many others; misconception’s where if you’re still living in a white picket fence world…no matter who you, from child sexual abuse to domestic violence where most prob thinking due to her father being who he was that nobody would dare touch her and have everything handed to her on a silver platter.

For everybody who still believes you don’t have to work for it and overcome so much a must read…

[Tanisha Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book! Although it started off extremely slow. I could still relate to a lot of things she's experienced in her child hood. She spoke about a lot and mentioned things in her book that she hasn't mentioned before. If my book was a movie i would use the same people, her family because i feel her family would have more of an effect because her father was a great.

[Zafirah Muhammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Muhammad Ali. So that's why I read this. Laila is a beautiful strong woman. Growing up with famous parents cannot be easy. But she came out the other side with grace and style. You go little sister. good book

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book is no literary masterpiece, it is an honest, heart-felt fast read. If I wasn't reading for work, I probably would never have picked it up but I'm glad I did. It is both insightful and interesting.

[Miesha Marzell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

[Tisha]

Good Read! It's about setting personal goals and reaching them no matter what. I read it several times!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter what life brings your way, a positive mind set will help you be successful.