Ali

A Life

By: Jonathan Eig

Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

Length: 22 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

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 20th 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.

©2017 Jonathan Eig (P)2017 Recorded Books

A complex person

This book fills out Ali very well and it is one of the best read books on Audible in my opinion. He was far from a perfect person but still extraordinarily larger than life.

He was extraordinarily boastful at the same time very humble, such a contrast in one person.

He could be very cruel to his opponents and to his wives but also very kind.

He was very simple and childish about practical worldly and financial matters but in other ways very principled and correct like a great sage.

He was a man of the 60s and 70s, profligate in his sexual exploits and casually sexist.

I had to pause and take two days off at certain points in the book. I could not stand how he was being exploited by people around him, notably Don King and Herbert Mohammed and how he continued to subject himself to head blows even after it was clear that he was deteriorating neurologically and the same crew of exploiters encouraged this incapacitated man to take on more fights.

I highly recommend this book.

Great Book

Great book which provides a unique insight into the Champ. Well worth a credit. Enjoy!

I didn't want it to end.

A phenomenal retelling of Ali's life with no punches pulled. Ali was a legendary figure, but a very flawed man. This book just pulls you in and keeps you wanting to hear more.

Truly One Of The Best Sports Biographies!!

I recently joined the Amazon Audio Book Club..This was my first read!! I took it to the gym daily... and I must admit...this fascinating book had me anxious to return every day! I have read several books on Muhammad Ali, but, THIS book FAR surpasses Any of the other reads! I was impressed by the authors descriptions of the actual bouts...I am a huge Ali fan, and I have seen all of the fights..I could literally see the fights once again, thanks to the author!! Muhammad Ali was not only the Greatest Heavyweight Champion, but, truly one of the top ten MOST important people of our past century!! The narrator is TOPS!! I just KNOW I am going to be let down on my next audio book, it can never live up to this one!! A MUST READ!!!

Great performance and biography

From start to finish this was a captivating biography. The author captured the life of only of the most interesting people to ever walk this earth.

A very complete telling of Ali’s life.

This is a cradle to the grave retelling of one of the greatest Americans to live in the 20th century. The author meticulously recounts every fight in Ali‘s career both inside and outside the ring. It doesn’t sugarcoat his bad deeds or make Metz out of the man which is refreshing. But you do come away humbled by his grace as he aged. My biggest complaint about this audiobook is the fact that the reader Kevin free mispronounces som it doesn’t sugarcoat his bad deeds or make Metz out of the man which is refreshing. But you do come away humbled by his grace as he aged. My biggest complaint about this audiobook is the fact that the reader Kevin free mispronounces more than one name in the retelling of Ali’s life story. For instance he whiffed on the pronunciation of Lyle Alzado, I name even a casual sports fan should be familiar with.

Inspiration

Well written Biography of my hero Muhammad Ali. One of the most in-depth books every written about “The Greatest”. I really, really enjoyed it. Finally, I grew in my Love, adoration and respect for one of the most important men in Global History.

wonderfully read!

Inspiring story of an amazing life! A person flawed and beautiful and there will never be another like Muhammed Ali! I enjoyed that the book was very detailed and was sad for it to end!

A 3 for reading

I began Ali: A Life my interest being raised having just finished reading 'Being Jamal.' I was thrilled to find not only did I follow his rise as a boxing great I was treated to a rich background of what it’s like to be black in America and choosing Islam as your faith. An extraordinary reading experisnce.

Wonderful profile of an American icon

I grew up in the era of Ali but never appreciated all that he did or stood for. During the book I’d find myself rooting for him and then at times then rooting against him. A complicated man. Performance was excellent.