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This book is about Muhammad Ali who changed the lives of young people in America and became the greatest heavyweight champion in the world. The main character in this book is of course Muhammad Ali; he changed his name from his birth name, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. He became the heavyweight champion by defeating Sonny Liston in 1964 and one characteristic that he had was quick feet. The only problem in the story is that most of the sportswriters were talking trash about Ali because Ali was bragging about how he was the greatest at boxing. This story takes place in Louisville, Kentucky. Its significant to this story because Louisville is where Ali first began boxing. The problem in the story is solved when Ali starts to influence people in America that whoever you want to be you can be that person. Also Ali stopped most of his bragging which led to Ali gaining some of the sportswriters trust back. There really isn't a villain in this story but if there was one it would be the sportswriters.
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My favorite part was when Ali became the greatest heavyweight champion by defeating Sonny Liston. My least favorite part is when Ali had to be put in jail for five years just because he didn't join the army. He did this because of his religious beliefs and hostility to the Vietnam War. I mean do you really have to join the army because if you do you could die in combat and nobody wants to die in combat. My favorite character in the book is definitely Muhammad because I feel like he could influence me a lot just like my dad and mom. Another part in the book is when Ali's opponents couldn't get a good hit on Ali because Ali had quick feet just like me. Jr. ( )

4.5/5 Stars

Really good. Well written book about Muhammad Ali's life in boxing.

I am not a boxing fan but I do like Muhammad Ali a lot. Our beliefs are different but I learned to respect him for the man he is for his fight during the Civil Rights Movement and his fight against joining the army to fight in a war he didn't agree with (more to it than that I'm sure but that was the top reason I always heard him give when I listened to him speak on why he didn't want to be in the military). The fact he was willing to be a "representative" for his people/someone for them to look up to...I admired as well.

I wasn't born until 1974 so naturally I didn't grow up during the era he did (Jim Crow segregation, etc) but as I got older, especially my high school years and 20's, my love for learning about the C.R.M. was strong and something I need to get back into again...that's how Ali really became a part of being in my "line of vision" when it came to learning more about him. When I saw this book in the thrift store, I had to grab it not reading the summary. It wasn't until I started reading it that I realized it focuses mostly on his career...I didn't think I'd like it but was determined to get it finished and I'm glad I did. It taught me how the term "rope a dope" started and where "Thrilla is Manilla" came from. His wins, losses, etc. I can't say I know everything about boxing now, but I can say I know more than what I did before going into it.

I learned, a supposed racist, gave Ali a robe that he ended up putting "People's Champion" on the back of it! That supposed racist? Elvis Presley! Mind you, Ali was a Muslim by this point. So, for two people who were/are racist...why talk to each other? During a time it was acceptable for white men to be so? I've always liked Elvis' movies and never thought of him as racist. Did many have prejudices? Yes! But having a prejudice doesn't = racism. I think to a certain degree, we all do, even if we don't realize it or we fight against it. But, I'm off of that rant! :-)

This is another book that has opened my eyes to some things and I love this book for that reason. :-)

(There may be typos because I typed this on my Kindle. I may come to check for them later but I was just ready to get this review up while it was fresh on my mind) ( )