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Ali: A Life

Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2017
By Jonathan Eig
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4.46 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 3,943 ratings, 484 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig is a comprehensive biography that delves into the life of Muhammad Ali, exploring his journey from a young athlete to a global icon. The book examines his boxing career, personal struggles, and profound impact on social and political causes, painting a vivid portrait of his multifaceted legacy.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by the life of one of the greatest sports icons in history. It provides an in-depth look at the personal and professional journey of Muhammad Ali, exploring his complexities, challenges, and triumphs both in and out of the boxing ring.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig is a masterful, enlightening biography that brings to life the awe-inspiring journey of Muhammad Ali, who transcended beyond the boxing ring to become an enduring global icon. Through meticulous research, including over 500 interviews with those who knew him intimately, this biography reveals the man behind the legend, uncovering dramatic new details about his personal and professional life.

The narrative delves deep into Ali's captivating rise as a boxing prodigy in Louisville, Kentucky, his dazzling triumphs in the ring, and his controversial yet principled stance against the Vietnam War draft. Ali's journey is portrayed in vivid detailβ€”his battles against formidable opponents, his conversion to Islam, and his role as a symbol of resistance against racial injustice. This biography also examines the personal toll and the early signs of physical decline that began to shadow his fighting spirit.

More than a sports biography, Ali: A Life examines Muhammad Ali's financial struggles, his unwavering commitment to his beliefs, and his transformation into a symbol of freedom and courage. It captures the complexity of a man who, despite his towering confidence and accomplishments, faced and was ultimately humiliated by the stark realities of Parkinson's disease. The book offers a poignant, compelling narrative of a warrior who continued to inspire and captivate millions around the world until his final battle.

When Muhammad Ali, frail and trembling, lit the Olympic flame at the 1996 Atlanta Games, a global audience of up to 3 billion people was reminded of his enduring legacy. The man who had once sparked controversy for his outspoken views and refusal to serve in the military was now celebrated universally, his extraordinary boxing career and its toll on his health evident to all.

This ground-breaking biography by Jonathan Eig brings Ali's story to life with detailed new research. It not only revisits some of the most famous boxing matches, like the "Rumble in the Jungle" and the "Thrilla in Manila," but also looks beyond the ring at his personal life, spirituality, financial ups and downs, and the early indicators of his physical decline.

An epic tale of a fighter turned pacifist, Ali: A Life does justice to an extraordinary man, presenting a comprehensive and gripping account of his life. The biography balances admiration with critical insight, painting a complete picture of Ali's indomitable spirit and complex personality.

Ali: A Life is the business – 640 pages of patient scholarship and intelligent reassessment written in crackly prose,’ Giles Smith, The Times

β€˜[A] richly researched, sympathetic yet unsparing portrait ... Ali: A Life is an epic of a biography,’ Joyce Carol Oates, New York Times

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Jonathan Eig's Ali: A Life is lauded for its comprehensive and deeply researched portrayal of Muhammad Ali. Reviewers praise its patient scholarship, detailed reportage, and crackly prose. The biography is noted for its balanced view, highlighting Ali's extraordinary life and achievements while not shying away from his flaws and controversies. This richly detailed and insightful work stands out as a definitive account of Ali's life and legacy.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781471155956

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 18 October 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Illustration: 3 x 8pp b-w plates

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 40.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 640

Collections

Biography & Memoir Jonathan Eig Non-Fiction Sports Biographies

About the Author

Jonathan Eig is a former senior special writer for The Wall Street Journal. He is the author of several books, including two highly acclaimed bestsellers, Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig and Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson’s First Season. Visit him at JonathanEig.com.

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