Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World

by Lennox Lewis (Foreword)

Many regard Muhammad Ali simply as “The Greatest” heavyweight of all time. Others admire his battles against racial injustice and religious intolerance. A few just call him “Dad.” They are all here in this book—fifty men and women of note coming together to celebrate the man Sports Illustrated crowned “Sportsman of the Century”: Angelo Dundee, Ali’s trainer; Billy Crystal, actor; Sir Henry Cooper, former British and European heavyweight champion; Bert Sugar, journalist and boxing historian; Hana Ali, Muhammad Ali’s daughter; Ferdie Pacheco, Ali’s fight doctor; and more. This book will be treasured by anyone who has ever been inspired by “The Greatest.”

Genres: Sports

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book over a decade ago when I started working on the adidas business in Japan - but didn't get around to reading it. It was only due to Ali's death last week that I turned to it.

The book provides a 360 degree perspective of Muhammed Ali, as it is both a series of interviews with fellow fighters, sportswriters, coaches, celebrities, friends and family. Clearly this was an extraordinary man who did extraordinary things influencing an entire generation - globally. He was an extremely talented althlete, a powerful orator, a generous human being and one of the "Crazy ones" who dared to change the world - for in the end he did.

I'd recommend this book to anyone like me who was touched by Ali and who wants to know more about the details about why and how he was able to do so much.

He was a giant in my life and this book underscores why he should remain a giant. RIP sir.

[Robert Waterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's basically a collection of stories from people who have actually met him. I loved the stories from boxers that came up against him in the ring the best.

[Ariel Clark]

“Muhammad Ali is the greatest fighter who ever lived and will always be until he is not with us anymore.”(Shirley Johnson). This book is about all the people who Muhammad Ali has touched in his life. It’s not the ordinary biography; this story is told through the eyes of others who knew Muhammad Ali like his daughter and ex-wives. The book expresses how Ali was always generous to other and all wanted to lend a helping hand to the poor and well as the rich. The book also shows negative view on Ali. In Malcolm X’s chapter he talks about how he think Muhammad Ali betrayed him when he got kicked out of the nation of Islam. He felt that since he got Muhammad Ali into the nation of Islam and was like his mentor he owed him his respect. The book also includes Ali’s rigorous training told by his former coacher and training partners. Toward the back of the book there are tons of pictures showcasing Ali in all his glory.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know about Muhammad Ali outside the ring. To anyone who likes biographies about sports figures. The book has some mature areas when dealing with Ali’s childhood and the hatred toward the Nation of Islam. If you cannot handle anything dealing with racism or the Muslim religion then I do not think you will enjoy this read. I would also recommend this book to anyone who just wants a good story it may sound boring but you will end up being surprised how much you actually enjoyed hearing about Muhammad Ali’s life from others.

I gave this book three stars because it was overall a good book but sometimes in the book it would drag on more than it needed to. In other parts of the book it would become boring and I would want to stop reading and do something else with my life. The grammar in the book is amazing and easy to comprehend. I also gave the book three stars because I didn’t like the negative viewpoints in the book about Muhammad Ali.

[Get Booked Fans]

Episode 25:
2. I’m asking for a friend. She is currently reading any biography she can get her hands on; from Hollywood legends to English writers to Russian leaders and royalty. Please recommend some “not to be missed” biographies. Thank you!
-Paula
Recommended by: Jenn