Ali : a life / Jonathan Eig.

"The definitive biography of an American icon, from a New York Times best-selling author with unique access to Ali's inner circle. He was the wittiest, the prettiest, the strongest, the bravest, and, of course, the greatest (as he told us over and over again). Muhammad Ali was one of the twentieth century's greatest radicals and most compelling figures. At his funeral in 2016, eulogists said Ali had transcended race and united the country, but they got it wrong. Race was the theme of Ali's life. He insisted that America come to grips with a black man who wasn't afraid to speak out or break the rules. He didn't overcome racism. He called it out. "I am America," he once declared. "I am the part you won't recognize. But get used to me--black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own. Get used to me." Ali went from being one of the most despised men in the country to one of the most beloved. But until now, he has never been the subject of a complete, unauthorized biography. Jonathan Eig, hailed by Ken Burns as one of America's master storytellers, breaks new ground and radically reshapes our understanding of the slippery figure who was Muhammad Ali. Eig had access to all the key people in Ali's life, including his three surviving wives and his managers. He also had access to thousands of pages of new FBI and Justice Department files, as well dozens of hours of newly discovered audiotaped interviews from the 1960s. Jonathan Eig's Ali breaks bold new ground, revealing Ali in the complexity he deserves, shedding important new light on his politics and his neurological condition. Ali is a story about race, about a brutal sport, and about a fascinating man who shook up the world"-- Provided by publisher.

"Based on more than 500 interviews, including Muhammad Ali's closest associates, and enhanced by access to thousands of pages of newly released FBI records, this is a thrilling story of a man who became one of the great figures of the twentieth century."-- Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 543-604) and index.

Preface: Miami, 1964 -- Cassius Marcellus Clay -- The loudest child -- The bicycle -- "Every day was heaven" -- The prophet -- "I'm just young and don't give a damn" -- America's hero -- Dreamer -- "Twentieth-century exuberance" -- "It's show business" -- Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee -- The ugly bear -- "So what's wrong with the Muslims?" -- Becoming Muhammad Ali -- Choice -- "Girl, will you marry me?" -- Assassination -- Phantom punch -- True love -- A holy war -- No quarrel -- "What's my name?" -- "Against the furies" -- Exile -- Faith -- Martyr -- Song and dance and prayer -- The greatest book of all time -- Stand by me -- Comeback -- "The world is watching you" -- A different fighter -- The five-million-dollar match -- Ali v. Frazier -- Freedom -- Trickeration -- A fight to the finish -- Heart of darkness -- Fighter's heaven -- "Ali boma ye!" -- Rumble in the jungle -- Moving on up -- Impulses -- Ali-Frazier III -- Getting old -- "They may not let me quit" -- "Do you remember Muhammad Ali?" -- Staggered -- Crown Prince -- Old -- Humpty Dumpty -- The last hurrah -- Too many punches -- "He's human, like us" -- A torch -- The long, black Cadillac -- Postscript.