Muhammad Ali FROM THE PUBLISHER
Trailblazer Muhammad Ali, whom many consider to be the greatest boxer of all time was born Cassius Clay in the segregated South. Ali rose to prominence in the turbulent 1960s, when he became famous as much for his controversial words and actions as for his boxing skill. A man who always believed in himself and stuck to his principles, he remains popular around the world.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Della A.Yannuzzi
Muhammad Ali is the name of a famous boxer who is known around the world. Buckley shows Ali as he was and still is: a spunky, confident man who was a gifted fighter. Born in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali was then named Cassius Clay. He changed his name when he joined the Muslim faith. Ali grew up in the time of segregation where whites and blacks went to different schools, lived in different areas of a town or city, and had separate public facilities such as parks and pools. When Ali was twelve, he had a chance to try boxing. His talent was quickly noticed, and he began training as a boxer. As a teenager, he won six state Golden Gloves championships and 100 out of 108 fights. In 1960, he competed in the Summer Olympics in Rome and won an Olympic gold medal. The medal did not protect him from racism, and Ali was bitter over the unfair treatment he and other African Americans encountered. Ali went into professional boxing and won fight after fight. Controversy followed Ali when he refused to serve in Vietnam due to his religious beliefs. For a time he was unpopular with the American public. In the 1970s, he made a comeback in boxing, but he lost to Ken Norton. He returned to fight Norton in a rematch. Ali won, then lost, and then won again his heavyweight championship. Ali's famous words, "I am the greatest," were repeated over and over again. Ali's last fight was in 1981. He now suffers from Parkinson's syndrome. Ali, when he can, still travels around the country and world, giving speeches and spreading good will. He has been called the Athlete of the Century. Good photographs, sidebars, a timeline, glossary, and internet sites are included. Part of the 'Trailblazers of the ModernWorld" series. 2004, World Almanac Library, Ages 10 up.
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