OPINION: Apart from his claims, self-promoted, as the greatest of all time among the heavyweight division of professional boxing, he became a political icon, someone who stood up for his principles in the face of an unnecessary war in Vietnam, and was prepared to put up with the consequences of his actions.
In Ali’s case that was the eventually unjust stripping of his heavyweight title by boxing authorities and the treatment of him by the American legal system which was eventually over-ridden by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Three of the peak years of his boxing career were lost which begs the question: how much different might Muhammad Ali’s life have been had he been able to continue in his prime?
That’s one for the sporting pundits to argue long and loud over but the fact remains that Ali was the predominant sporting figure of his generation and an inspiration to those latter generations who could only marvel at what he went through and achieved while continuing to make his mark even in the face of the Parkinson’s disease that marred much of his later life.
Few sportsmen have been more chronicled and certainly, books about him abound. But what were five of the best books about him? Consider this list:
1 – Muhammad Ali – His Life and Times by Thomas Hauser
If my house went on fire and I had a chance to save one book, this would be it. It is a definitive record of his life and includes not only all the details regarding his fights but also all that was happening around his life with many interviews from people with their own perspective on Muhammad Ali.
2 – Shadowbox – George Plimpton
This book is often overlooked when it comes to descriptions of Ali’s Rumble in the Jungle with George Foreman. But it is well worth a read because of Plimpton’s renowned ability to get inside the detail surrounding his subject. It not only focuses on the Zaire fight but also much that occurred in Ali’s career preceding the bout.
3 – Fight Doctor – Ferdie Pacheco
Ali’s doctor, Pacheco provides a fascinating insight to the world of Ali, backgrounding the medical guidance and preparation that went into having him at a peak. It has to be acknowledged that Pacheco advised Ali to give up the game far sooner than he did, and that he did not serve as his doctor in the latter stages of his career. His story is an interesting insight into the medical side of Ali’s life.
4 – Muhammad Ali, Memories – Photographs by Neil Leifer, text by Thomas Hauser
This is a pictorial representation of Ali’s career and is worth its weight in gold. Leifer covered all of Ali’s career with much of his work appearing in Sports Illustrated. The beauty, skill and dynamic that Ali brought to the ring is captured in some brilliant photographs. Beautifully laid out, the photos are linked by Hauser’s words with plenty of room for lists and quips that personified Ali’s career.
5 – Muhammad Ali Through the Eyes of the World – Edited by Mark Collings
To read about the impact Muhammad Ali had on lives around the world, this book has it all. Just a few of the names featured are: Billy Connolly, Henry Cooper, Billy Crystal, Richard Harris, Angelo Dundee, Cathy Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, BB King, Rod Steiger and a host of boxers and writers on the game. This is a true measure of Ali’s impact and highly readable at the same time.
By Lynn McConnell
Lynn writes for GrownUps, courtesy of Golden Oldies & Vintage Sports Tours.
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