The Complete Muhammad Ali

by Ishmael Reed

Including material and photographs not included in most of the 100 other books about the champion, Ishmael Reed’s The Complete Muhammad Ali is more than just a biography—it is a fascinating portrait of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. An honest, balanced portrayal of Ali, the book includes voices that have been omitted from other books. It charts Ali’s evolution from Black Nationalism to a universalism, but does not discount the Nation of Islam and Black Nationalism’s important influence on his intellectual development. Filipino American author Emil Guillermo speaks about how “The Thrilla’ In Manila” brought the Philippines into the 20th century. Fans of Muhammad Ali, boxing fans, and those interested in modern African American history and the Nation of Islam will be fascinated by this biography by an accomplished American author.

Genres: Sports, History, Nonfiction, Biography

448 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2015

About the author

Ishmael Scott Reed is an American poet, essayist, and novelist. A prominent African-American literary figure, Reed is known for his satirical works challenging American political culture, and highlighting political and cultural oppression.

Reed has been described as one of the most controversial writers. While his work has often sought to represent neglected African and African-American perspectives, his energy and advocacy have centered more broadly on neglected peoples and perspectives irrespective of their cultural origins.

Reviews

[Asif · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting biography of Ali which really gives a view of what he meant to Afro-Americans and the role of the NOI and Elijah Muhammad, in particular, on Ali. It is also a critique of the other (almost all WASP) Ali biographers -- whom Reed refers to as the Ali Writers (chief amongst whom is Hauser); what is more interesting is the revelation of some not-so-savoury aspects of Ali's life which have hitherto not been explored.

Overall, it is a good and interesting book but not really a biography in the traditional sense. It seems Reed uses Ali as a platform or frame around which to express his own anti-establishment and Afrocentric views (which are, to be fair, sometimes spot on).

Ali, remains, despite Reed, a legend; what he has done is made Ali human instead of a god! For that, he deserves credit. If he had done the same whilst writing a traditional biography it could have been a 5 star book. As it is, I'd read Hauser's masterpiece and then read this to fill in the gaps that he leaves out.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating cultural biography, told primarily through what I estimate was at least two dozen interviews with people relevant to Muhammad Ali. The book includes an interview with Ali's brother Rahman, his ex-wife Khalila Ali, journalists who travelled with the champ, Harry Belafonte, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Nation of Islam leaders, and more. Through these interviews and their accompanying prose, Reed shines a light on some particular blindspots that he sees as pervasive in the 100+ biographies that have been written on Ali. These include but are not limited to the unquestioning demonization of the NOI that most Ali biographers succumb to (if they don't completely rewrite them out of Ali's life), and the questions and contradictions raised by Ali's apparent support for authoritarian leaders in the Philippines and Zaire (as well as his support for George W. Bush and endorsement of Ronald Reagan) in light of his political activism and refusal to participate in the draft during the Vietnam War. Reed also raises difficult questions about the degree to which Ali and his image may have been taken advantage of by people who did not have his best interests at heart towards the end of his life and at the end of his career.

There were some sections that felt a bit rushed and as though they could have used some heavy editing. These sections were few and far between, and Reed offers a good explanation for why his heart may not have been fully invested in every topic covered in book, which can be inferred from an interview that he gave with Amy Goodman shortly after Ali's death, if you care to research that.

Not only does Reed shine a light on the blindspots characterizing many other biographies of Muhammad Ali, but he allows people with the relevant experience to fill these shortcomings in. He guides the interviews in a masterful way which encourages his interviewees to fill in much needed details about Ali and his cultural as well as personal impact on those around him. The interviewees are not all in agreement about several key questions, and many viewpoints are considered in the book. This functions to provide the reader with a more complete understanding of Muhammad Ali as a human being.

[Ernest Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a clumsy dyslexic, I don't usually read sports biographies, but for Ishmael Reed, I make exception. This books is not just about Muhammad Ali, or boxing, but tells a bigger story. I feel I know a lot more about an era of history that I lived through after reading it. Taken mostly from interview with primary sources, it documents the bizarre position of black athletes in America, the need to create heroes, and Ali's private life. And of course, Reed is an amazing writer.