From the Bookshelf of Nonfiction Reading - Only the Best…

Ali: A Life

Eig Jonathan

Start date: August 1, 2023

Finish date: October 1, 2023

Discussion: Books of the Month

Why we're reading this: August 2023 Members' Choice…more
[close] August 2023 Members' Choice

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 32 topics — 776 comments total

Books of the Month

* Moderator's Choice for June 2024 - The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis
By Larry · 6 posts · 18 views

last updated Jun 02, 2024 06:35PM

* Moderator's Choice for May 2024 - Among the Thugs
By Larry · 5 posts · 13 views

last updated May 28, 2024 06:34PM

showing 1 of 1 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Sep 09, 2017 Lance rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-a-copy, sports, nf-books-read-2019, blog, favorite-authors, net-galley, arc, boxing

Not much needs to be said about the impact Muhammad Ali made on the sport of boxing, civil rights in the United States or the Muslim faith. There have been many books and articles written about the man on all of these topics and more. Now there is one source for inside information on Ali the man, Ali the boxer and Ali the spiritual figure – this outstanding biography written by Jonathan Eig.

Covering Ali’s entire life, from the childhood of Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky to his death in 201 Not much needs to be said about the impact Muhammad Ali made on the sport of boxing, civil rights in the United States or the Muslim faith. There have been many books and articles written about the man on all of these topics and more. Now there is one source for inside information on Ali the man, Ali the boxer and Ali the spiritual figure – this outstanding biography written by Jonathan Eig.

Covering Ali’s entire life, from the childhood of Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky to his death in 2016, Eig uncovers stories behind Ali’s transformation from being one of the most despised men in America (at least by white Americans) to one of the most beloved figures. Information on just about every aspect of Ali’s life – his association with the Nation of Islam, his training methods, his marriages and eventually the neurological issues that plagued him even before his boxing career ended – are all addressed in the masterful storytelling that has won Eig widespread praise.

Nearly anything that has been said about Ali, even if just in mythological or legendary status, is mentioned in the book. Stories such as the one about a stolen bicycle leading to his interest in boxing, the real source for his famous quote about “no quarrel with the Viet Cong” and the atmosphere of his famous first fight with Joe Frazier in 1971 at Madison Square Garden are written in a flowing style that makes them, and the rest of the book, a joy to read.

This is the case even with controversial or unpleasant topics. The reader will gain a better understanding of the importance of the Nation of Islam in Ali’s transition from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali and the roles that Elijah Muhammad, his son Herbert and Malcom X played in that part of Ali’s life. Ali’s conviction on draft evasion, his subsequent association with Don King and his generosity with his money that led to financial problems. Through all of these, however, Eig never fails to remind readers that often Ali was simply being kind to everyone whom he would encounter.

Ali’s boxing career is just as well chronicled as his life. Good coverage of nearly every fight in his career can be found in the book and the bigger fights such as the first and third fights against Frazier, his two knockouts of Sonny Liston and the “Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman have substantial pages written. While many of these fights have been covered in other books (some of which were references for Eig’s research as well as over 500 interviews), these accounts of those great matches will leave the reader reliving those fights or give some new information.

Just like his biography on Lou Gehrig, Eig’s biography on “The Greatest” paints a comprehensive picture on a beloved icon in American sports in an enjoyable, entertaining book that readers will want to add to their libraries. One doesn’t have to be a boxing or sports fan to enjoy this, especially since Muhammad Ali transcended sports to become an iconic figure. It is a biography that comes close to that status in the world of books.

I wish to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201... ...more

25 likes · Like · see review

Sep 15, 2023 Cynda rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: african-american, nonfiction-2023, biography-or-memior, read-2023, nonfiction

I hoped by reading a life-and-times biography of Muhammad Ali, I would better understand that service that Muhammad Ali [MA]. I am human, so I can be a little clueless even when the information is right under my nose.

Starting this book, I hoped to find out

* how boxing served POC and families including Muhammad Ali to become more financially comfortable. Through the services of hos last wife Lonnie, MA was able to gain some financially stability.

* how Islam made MA a better person, whatever ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2019 Jeffrey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, biography

First of all the book: well written narrative bio of Ali. I liked that it was even handed for the most part. The author told the bad along with the good. The author was obviously a fan and occasionally let that overtake his analysis, but thankfully this was not too frequent and brief so it did not detract too much. Recommended.

I have mixed emotions about Ali. One of the chapter titles summed it up nicely I thought, "He's human, like us"

(view spoiler) ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 23, 2023 Jakub Majer rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

Great biography about a great athlete. I was born many years after Ali finished his career, yet it seems like I was born with knowledge about who he was. The only athlete who might be more recognizable is, I think, Michael Jordan. Ali remains the greatest ever, a true champ. Next generations will also know who he was, as his legend lives and transcends generational boundaries. He challenged social norms, risked being thrown into jail because of his principles. Insolent, hated, and booed at the b ...more

Like · see review

Mar 03, 2018 Umar Lee rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: islamic-studies, biography, sports, black-history

Very good book. I particularly enjoyed the writer including the history of the Clay family and describing the Louisville community Ali grew-up in. Was also impressed with the writer's detailed research into Ali's journey to the Nation of Islam and his evolution as a Muslim. The writer presents Ali as a complex hero. At times devout Muslim yet a womanizer. Speaking truth to power yet by the 1980's embracing the apolitical gentle elder statesman role. Eig also gives us a step by step account of ho ...more

Like · see review