Muhammad Ali: The Greatest

by Susan Brophy Down

Overview

Muhammad Ali was born as Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky. Early in his life, his skills developed from those he needed to stand up to a playground bully into the championship form that earned him a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics. As a professional fighter, Ali became known not just for the speed and agility with which he won three world heavyweight championships, but also for his charm, wit, and showmanship. Outside the ring, the courage of his stand against the military draft made him both a revered cultural hero and a lightning rod for the issues that divided Americans during the Vietnam War. In the decades following his boxing career, Ali was regarded as one of the most recognized people on the planet. He lent his name, influence, and generosity to a host of humanitarian causes. Having earned the affection of billions of people worldwide, the people’s champ will forever be The Greatest.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780778710349
Publisher:	Crabtree Publishing Company
Publication date:	02/28/2013
Series:	Crabtree Groundbreaker Biographies Series
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	1160L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Facing Fear on the Road to Gold 5

Chapter 2 Early Hooks and Jabs 19

Chapter 3 Building a Career 35

Chapter 4 The Man Behind the Gloves 53

Chapter 5 Fighting His Way Back 71

Chapter 6 Hanging Up the Gloves 87

Chronology 104

Glossary 106

Further Information 108

Index 110

About the Author 112

Editorial Reviews

Gr 7 Up—The unsavory bits of these icons' stories are not glossed over. Rather, the subjects' weaknesses and words (such as the Beatles' drug use and a Muhammad Ali quotation that uses the "n" word) are delivered in a straightforward manner. Through the use of sidebars, quotations, and black-and-white photographs, readers are given not only information about the subjects themselves, but also about cultural events of the time. In The Beatles, each member's life receives coverage from child to adulthood. The stars' musical influences and successors, controversies, and personal relationships and conflicts are examined. This volume also touches upon other popular musicians, Eastern influences in both music and philosophy, and drugs. Muhammad Ali discusses the boxer's upbringing, religious beliefs, contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, and protestation of the war in Vietnam. It also includes text on Jim Crow laws, the social reforms of the 1960s, the Nation of Islam, and the sport of boxing. Despite a few typographical errors in Muhammad Ali, these titles are worthy resources for most libraries.—Rebecca Gueorguiev, New York Public Library

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