The Greatest: My Own Story

I was a fan of Clay when I was growing up. No problem when he became a Muslim and changed his name. I did have a problem when he dodged the draft...However when I read this book I gained respect for his reasoning and resolve.The book gave much insight to his fights , his training, his opinion of other fighters and life as a black man in general. I was a teenager when the civil right riots were in full swing, I was not on the side of blacks at the time. Reading this book opened my eyes to the horrible conditions some black people suffered in those years and I gained understanding of their fight as well.There were many parts of the book where I found myself laughing and sadly times when I shed a tear as well. Ali was a wonderful man, a man of integrity and strength, not only strength of body but strength of character as well. I miss him.There was one chapter that was not so great IMO and that was the one where he was talking about his ex wife but as the champ might say, ya can't win 'em all. Other than that chapter the book was fantastic even down to the last chapter and the last sentence in particular.Near the end of the book I was, at times, confused about just what fight he was talking about as he seemed to shift between one fight and another but just keep reading and it all comes together.I stood about four feet from Mr. Ali during his speech at a 4th of July parade in Chicago, though I don't recall anything in particular that he said in the speech (was the late 70's) I do recall that, at the time, I was mightily impressed and it is a highlight of my past experiences. I will forever fondly remember Mohammad Ali and even more so now that I know him better through this book.

Yall I am so excited to have finally finished my first book of 2023. Now this book did take me a while to finish because I just have so much going on in my personal life and with the work but this was a really really good book. I love how he talked about him being disciplined, I love how he talked about the different fights that he won and even the fight with Frasier that he lost. He talked about his exile from when he refused to join the army to him being married twice and having kids. His confidence radiates and I feel like everyone should have his mindset like they are the greatest. I was also really compelled to read this book because we saw the world's greatest wish was the soundtrack and his movie at our fifth grade graduation. I also really liked how he talked about how he changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali and him being a Muslim so that journey was a really great read I just didn't like how he tried to control and conform his first wife to be somebody that she wasn't. Now this book is over 400 pages so it will take you some time to get through it but I would definitely recommend reading this book to you as he came about in a time when being a boxer as a black man was very difficult so I applaud his dedication and his determination. 4/5 stars great read!!

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE THE GREATEST READ THIS!Most people mistake Ali as arrogant but dont understand the story behind his CONFIDENCE. This book takes the reader on a journey. It: facilitates EMOTIONAL HIGHS AND LOWS, discloses the GREED of TWISTED PUPPETEERS in sports but most importantly allows you to partake in a revelatory journey full of obstacles and perseverance that made ALI THE greatest. What makes someone great is not what they do when the cameras are watching but what they do when no one is watching and when the tides are against you. I read this book as I try to navigate my life as becoming a beacon of hope for the world. I would mention that the non disclosed editor Toni Morrison is not mentioned in this book, but was instrumental in crafting this body of work. She released her edited version in 1975, but VERY SIMILAR to this and with the same writer.FUN FACTS: AUTHOR IS BLACKWHY READ: for those looking to better themselves and/or see if you have the qualities of being a great leader (i.e.; integrity, resilience, determination, faith, confidence, whit, love of God and ppl, etc) I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS! Some ppl will not be able appreciate ALL THE HIDDEN GEMS and universal traits shared by other greats OBAMA, NELSON, etc but if you do then you will see a trend and pattern.

A little slow and meticulous but full of info I'd never heard before. Very much worth the money.Recommended.

My father in law said he wanted to read it, so we bought it. He let me read after, and yes it’s a very great read.

Saw Ali box *live* on tv once, first and only time, beating Shavers (boy, did he take a punch!). As slave names go, Cassius Clay is honorific. And yet, Ali had to take a new name. And religious identity. How did he know he "had" to? He refused to "serve," do an Elvis tour-- VietNam-- at profound personal risk. He defied the whole System (rightly), and he won. Came back (!), won, lost, beat Foreman (Foreman!). Re-watch the fight, everybody. Round One has no "rope-a-dope" (term was invented, a year later, by Ali with Cosell, Lyle fight, as near as I can tell🤔😉😇). So,,, real heroes exhibit a humility, a defiance, an ability to do what *must* be done in the moment, in the moment. And they don't get to understand themselves. Maybe they "brand" themselves ... You know, we fans, beyond the braggadocio, understand you as a quiet soul, receptive-- defiant, human, so gracious.-- So: All I can say is, Ali, forever! Ali, forever! We love you, Champ! (we do)😉

He tells it all in this inexpensive book.Muhammad Ali is the greatest fighter ever and he shares a lot of info here. Great book!

A great book by one of the most famous sportsmen in the world. Alot of emphasis on Ali’s change in religion and refusal to go to Vietnam. But still great read.

Als langjähriger Bewunderer von Muhammad Ali war ich gespannt auf seine Autobiografie "The Greatest: My Own Story". Das Buch bietet faszinierende Einblicke in das Leben und die Karriere eines der größten Sportler aller Zeiten.Inhalt und Erzählstil:Muhammad Ali nimmt uns mit auf eine Reise durch seine bemerkenswerte Karriere, von seinen Anfängen bis hin zu seinen größten Kämpfen und Siegen. Der Erzählstil ist lebendig und authentisch, als würde Ali persönlich seine Geschichte erzählen. Das Buch fängt seine Persönlichkeit und seinen unerschütterlichen Glauben an sich selbst perfekt ein.Inspirierende Geschichten:Die Autobiografie ist voll von inspirierenden Geschichten und Anekdoten, die nicht nur seine sportlichen Erfolge, sondern auch seine Herausforderungen und Rückschläge beleuchten. Ali spricht offen über seine Kämpfe im und außerhalb des Rings, seine Überzeugungen und seinen unermüdlichen Einsatz für soziale Gerechtigkeit. Diese Geschichten sind nicht nur motivierend, sondern auch tief bewegend.Einblicke in den Menschen hinter der Legende:Was dieses Buch besonders auszeichnet, sind die Einblicke in den Menschen Muhammad Ali. Seine Gedanken, Gefühle und Prinzipien werden detailliert dargestellt, was den Leser in die Lage versetzt, den Mann hinter der Boxlegende besser zu verstehen. Seine Kämpfe gegen Rassismus und für Menschenrechte sind ebenso präsent wie seine berühmten Kämpfe im Ring.Fazit:"The Greatest: My Own Story" ist ein fesselndes und inspirierendes Buch, das Muhammad Ali in all seinen Facetten zeigt. Für Fans des Boxsports, der Geschichte oder einfach für jeden, der sich für außergewöhnliche Lebensgeschichten interessiert, ist dieses Buch ein absolutes Muss. Es bietet einen umfassenden und intimen Einblick in das Leben eines Mannes, der nicht nur als Sportler, sondern auch als Mensch eine Legende ist. Absolut empfehlenswert!

Súper buen libro escrito por el más grande boxeador de todos los tiempos... muy entretenido y muestra su filosofía de vida.

He was born Cassius ClayBut he let that name slip awayFor him it’s a name that binds with shameAs people identified with that of a slaveHe becomes Muhammad AliIn which he found his true identityThough a Champion without doubtThe so called American WhiteFilled his life so much misery and hateThe wrath of whitesPublic and political alikeAnd from all sidesBrought him plethora of punchesMore than in the boxing bouts.For his stand on Vietnam WarFor his Birth ColorFor the Faith that he held dearHe paid the price of exileWith threats for lifeStripped of titleFacing the threat of being behind the barsHe had to battle now the banishers.At the same time stay true to his heartHe was always loud mouthed for what is rightMany identified him as a boaster with false prideTo shut down the critic he rallied to boastThat “I am the Greatest”.And did what he thought rightSo inside he can filled with Lightness and LightForget the hate of the adult whiteFor he was always children’s delightThough a man of mightAt heart he was a rhyming poetA poem he had one for each fightPredicting the result of what mightPeople thought he was wipedWith the exile that disallowed him to fightBut when the exile endedHe showed the critics they’re not rightAs One by one the challengers fellWith his boxing mightLike a butterfly he floatsLike a bee he stingsAnd TALL he standsAbove them allHe wins the matches withinEven before he lays a punch.That’s whyHe is the GREATEST of AllNot only GREATEST but also the HUMBLESTAs he remained True to his Self, People and his Faith.