The Greatest

My Own Story

By: Muhammad Ali, Richard Durham

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Length: 16 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

Audie Award, Autobiography/Memoir, 2017.

In his own words, the heavyweight champion of the world pulls no punches as he chronicles the battles he faced in and out of the ring in this fascinating memoir edited by Nobel Prize-winning novelist, Toni Morrison. 

Growing up in the South, surrounded by racial bigotry and discrimination, Ali fought not just for a living, but also for respect and rewards far more precious than money or glory. He was named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated and the BBC. Ali redefined what it meant to be an athlete by giving hope to millions around the world and inspiring us all to fight for what is important to us. 

This is a multifaceted portrait of Muhammad Ali only he could render: sports legend, unapologetic anti-war advocate, outrageous showman and gracious goodwill ambassador, fighter, lover, poet, and provocateur, and an irresistible force to be reckoned with. 

Who better to tell the tale than the man who went the distance living it? 

©1975 Muhammad Ali, Herbert Muhammad, Richard Durham (P)2016 Graymalkin Media

Critic Reviews

"It's uncanny how much narrator Dion Graham sounds like Ali. He has the same rhythm, inflection, and passion that The Champ had.... Graham makes us feel the pain Ali felt, both from the fights and from the world." ( AudioFile)

Truly The Greatest

If you could sum up The Greatest in three words, what would they be?

Inspirational, quick, witty

What does Dion Graham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Loved his voice. Brought so much to the book. Believed I was listening to Ali.

Any additional comments?

Sure he became the best boxer ever. But to see where he started, how the deck was stacked against him at every turn, what he had to overcome and continue to overcome even when he did make it, is truly inspirational. I'm not a sports fan and I found it a fascinating listen. Highly recommend it.

great story

the story, the reader, the book. they all had passion. made me realize alot of things about myself on never giving up. I connected with this book and I always have a book going. rarely do I ever write a review ether. my dad was a boxer so maybe it helped me understand a few things, about him and myself. however anyone having a hard time, or lived threw any type of oppression, can read this and find inspiration. ALI, THE PEOPLE S CHAMPION .

Absolutely inspiring and captivating!

I felt that I was actually there witnessing Muhammad Ali's life. I learned some very interesting insights about his life and journey. I'm inspired to hear what he had to do and encounter to be the person he was. I agree that he is the Greatest, but not just boxing, his intestinal fortitude and resolve to make a difference, and his passion for the people to give his best, to do his best! What a Champion😉😘

Great book, phenomenal interpretation

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I certainly would recommend this. This book chronicles intimate details of Ali's upbringing from his POV that are incredibly interesting and revealing. And Dion Graham's performance is superb. Wonderful nuance.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Greatest?

The description and performance of the taped dialogue between Ali and Joe Frazier before their fight as they drive together on a long road trip.

wow!!! Why don't we study this man in school?

loved it, loved it, loved it! amazing story and it keeps your attention the entire time. I listened to think book in the car, at the gym, at home. I couldn't put it down (couldn't stop playing it). being a millennial, Ali was before my time, just heard he was a great fighter. I'm just now learning how much of an activist he was too. He fought for equality and stood for his beliefs, something so many know little about. He went against the grain but for whatever reason people don't really share that info. you just hear of his amazing fighting skills but the man took a stand, wanted justice for all and the right for everyone to treated equally. I'm glad I got to read and find out about him. Wish I had known more about him before his death. RIP CHAMP!

The amazing life of the greatest one!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Greatest to be better than the print version?

Yes because of the excellent job the narrator does. If Muhammad Ali was narrating the story, it would be indistinguishable from this.

What did you like best about this story?

I believe the book was written in honesty and it is why it's fantastic. It shows the struggles of being an African-American professional athlete, in a sport that is run by white elites during his era. Coming out of this book you cannot have anything but respect for Muhammad Ali and his perseverance to stick to his ideas and faith, when every single person he was close to, including his mother, was telling him to serve in the army. He highlights the struggles and threats that he faced which would have made a lesser man give up.

Which scene was your favorite?

The best part of the story for me was when Joe Frazier and Ali were sharing a ride to New York. Muhammad Ali asked Frazier if it was okay to record their ride hence it was included in the book. That conversation was certainly one of the highlights. Hilarious at points, this conversation shows the friendship and respect these two icons had for each other.

Amazing Performance of an Amazing Story

Stick with it. The performance is outstanding and the story is incredible. Fiction doesn't hold a candle to the truth. Ali! Bhumaye!

the greatest

incredible narrative pattern, perfect narration. one of the best audio books I have ever listened to. near perfect

Awesome story, Grammy worth Reading

this book goes in to the man library. Dion Grammy has preformed an award winning reading

Great Listen

The reader did a wonderful job. Felt like Muhammad Ali was talking to me himself.

Awesome story from the champ himself

This autobiography ends in 1975 when it was originally published. It is a tremendous story bringing forth many facts that I did not know About Ali such as the motorcycle gang attempted lynching after he was refused food in Louisville after he had won the Olympics. The moment he describes when he threw the medal in the river is done so well you can feel being there. Also there is a chapter in the book about how he trains and many famous quotes are taken from that. Enjoyable to all. Note Ali view changes later in life rejecting the Nation of Islam to the true Islam and saying the turning of his back on Malcolm X was the greatest mistake of his life. I would also recommend Thomas Hauser book on Ali also available on Audible. This book is done by his official biographer who interviews all of Ali friend which adds to the rich tapestry of his life.

Outstanding

I didn't realise it but the last 5 minutes of the last chapter I was in tears, a truly remarkable piece of work about a remarkable life

at times I got lost

Great story, amazing Man with great charisma and courage. I didn't like the fact that the story kept going back and forth, at times I got lost and tried to rewind a few time in case I was day dreaming! anyway that does not undermine the fact that it was a great listen

The Greatest of All Time

Truly an inspiration story of the greatest sportsman and politician without portfolio ever. A must for any Ali fan or historian.

Brilliant story, but..

The life of Ali is well documented in this, from his humble beginnings through to his epic rumble with George Foreman in 1974. It covers both his personal life and his boxing career. although the book ends after his fight with Foreman , when a document of his later career would have been interesting (although his decline and health issues explain why he ended the book on a high).

Now, the only downside is the narrator, whilst I cannot deny the energy and passion he displays in his performance, some of his voices are utterly nauseating and greating. Particularly his 'bundini' voice, and his reanactnent of the crowd in Zaire shouting 'ALI BUMBAYE'.

As I said I cannot deny his passion for the performance. If you can survive a seriously dramatized audiobook then this is fantastic.

PS. Speaking of George foreman, as a fan of George I did notice the book did not speak particularly highly of him, whereas Ali does acknowledge the talent of his other opponents in his book..

Great autobiography

The narrator was very good, he used different impersonated voices to build the scene. The story was great and interesting to hear about the struggles encountered by Ali. My only criticism is I found the timeline a bit hard to follow at times as it seemed to jump from one moment in his life to the next, however that could just be me. overall , well worth the purchases and great book.

The greatest

fantastic I read the book as I listened and the memory flooded back. will always be the greatest in eyes, as this brings back emotions not of the fights but my father to we listened together and i know in my heart it was the bond he bought to us. simple the greatest. the narration was eminence

Fantastic performance from Dion Graham

Incredible performance, brings each and every character to life so brilliantly! Just the little details like muffling his voice when Ali's jaw was wired just makes it so much more vivid!

Incredible

Amazingly performed, you feel like Ali is in the room telling you his story, tough to follow at times as it goes back and forth in time a lot but so interesting, eye opening and intriguing story and again brilliantly told.

A must Read!

Muhammed Ali was way more than a great boxer and this snippet of his life provides so much insight on that.