Healing. A Journal of Tolerance and Understanding.

First edition, presentation copy, inscribed by Houser, "To Gerald Ford, with admiration and respect, Thomas Hauser", and signed by Ali on a label pasted onto the front free endpaper. Ali was a controversial figure for American politicians. He was a member of the Nation of Islam and had refused to join the army during the Vietnam War, for which he was stripped of his heavyweight title in 1967. He did not fight for nearly four years, but in 1974 he returned to the ring to dethrone George Foreman and reclaim his title as heavyweight champion of the world. Shortly after, President Ford invited Ali to the White House. "I wanted to meet Muhammad", said Ford, "not only because of my interest in sports, but because it was part of my overall effort to heal the wounds of racial division, Vietnam, and Watergate" (Hauser). Thomas Hauser, "When Muhammad Ali and Gerald Ford Met", The Sweet Science, 19 July 2019. Small square octavo. Original black cloth, gilt on front cover. With dust jacket. A fine copy.…