The Greatest: Muhammad Ali

Walter Dean Myers

ISBN 10: 0756910021 ISBN 13: 9780756910020

Publisher: Perfection Learning, 2001

Synopsis

The Louisville Lip.

Cassius Clay.

The Greatest.

Muhammad Ali may be known by more than one name, but his accomplishments, both inside and out of the boxing ring, have earned him a singular place in history as one of the most inspiring figures of the twentieth century.

In his riveting portrayal of Ali's spirit and courage, award-winning author Walter Dean Myers also exposes the hazards of boxing -- the sport Ali loved, but which ultimately damaged him and many other greats beyond repair. Through the story of Ali's childhood, his rise as a champion, his politics, and his battle against Parkinsons' disease, readers will come to know the man behind the brash public persona -- the man whose talent and legacy will stir and inspire a new generation of fans.

About this title

About the Author

The late Walter Dean Myers was the 2012-2013 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. He was the critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of an award-winning body of work which includes Somewhere in the Darkness, Slam!, and Monster. Mr. Myers has received two Newbery Honor medals, five Coretta Scott King Author Book Awards, and three National Book Award Finalist citations. In addition, he was the winner of the first Michael L. Printz Award.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Heroes that looked anything like me were hard to come by when I was a kid growing up in Harlem. I remember Sugar Ray Robinson, then the welterweight champion, stopping his flashy Cadillac on our block and sparring with me and the other kids. All the kids on the block loved his playing with us, even the girls. Once in a while I would spot heavyweight champ Joe Louis on 125th Street near the Apollo Theater in New York City and that was always a thrill. But Robinson and Louis were relatively simple men, their brilliance limited to their exploits in the ring. Another Robinson, Jackie, had just integrated major league baseball and became, for me, the most exciting male figure in the African-American community until the Summer Olympics of 1960.That summer, a young man would stand on the podium, a gold medal around his neck, while the “Star Spangled Banner” played. A caption on the television I watched announced that Cassius Clay had won the gold medal in boxing. It was the first glimpse for most Americans of the man who would come to be known as The Greatest.

Edition details

• Publisher: Perfection Learning
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0756910021
• ISBN 13: 9780756910020
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 172