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  • Ali

  • A Life
  • Written by: Jonathan Eig
  • Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
  • Length: 22 hrs and 53 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (51 ratings)

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Ali

Written by: Jonathan Eig
Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
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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

What listeners say about Ali

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
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Excellent

One of the best sports books I have ever read. Ali lead such an unbelievable life. The racism he faced, the defiance, the boxing matches, all incredible. I am going to recommend this book to everyone.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

boring

about half way through, I pulled the plug. some might enjoy, but I didn't find it very enjoyable at all

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • S
  • 2020-09-23

If you’re on the fence about the book, stop it: it’s worth your time.

Jonathan Eig has expertly given us the life of an American icon in a way that tells the story of America itself — both in the era Ali lived and the era we live now. If that were not enough, Kevin R. Free has brought it all to life with excellent narration. Free matches the pace of the writing and story, giving it time to breathe when it needs and letting it soar when it should fly.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Kinda boring

There's A LOT of fluff in this. I couldn't even finish part one. I am disappointed.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Bien recherché. Bon narrateur. Complet, de la naissance à la mort de Ali.
Histoire présentée de façon objective. Tous les aspects de la personnalité de Ali ressortent,
autant ses nombreuses qualités que ses nombreux défauts. Que vous soyez un admirateur d'Ali (comme
moi ) ou, si vous ne pouvez pas l'endurer, vous en apprendrez beaucoup sur votre héros ou vilain préféré.

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  • A
  • 2019-07-04

Ali

life lived and taken to its limits.
greatness cannot be denied.
I enjoyed every minute.

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