My Brother, Muhammad Ali
The Definitive Biography
Published on 10. October 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-1-5381-6954-4 (ISBN)
Description
"Rahaman has, at last, written the definitive biography on his late brother, which tells the real Ali story." -Mike Tyson
More words have been written about Muhammad Ali than almost anyone else. He was, without doubt, the world's most-loved sportsman. At the height of his celebrity he was the most famous person in the world. And yet, until now, the one voice missing belonged to the man who knew him best-his only sibling, and best friend, Rahaman Ali.
No one was closer to Ali than Rahaman. Born Cassius and Rudolph Arnett Clay, the two brothers grew up together, lived together, trained together, travelled together, and fought together in the street and in the ring. A near-constant fixture in his sibling's company, Rahaman saw Ali at both his best and his worst: the relentless prankster and the jealous older brother, the outspoken advocate, the husband and father. In My Brother, Muhammad Ali, Rahaman offers an insider's perspective on the well-known stories as well as never-before-told tales, painting a rich and intimate portrait of a proud, relentlessly polarizing, yet often vulnerable man.
In this extraordinary, poignant memoir, Rahaman tells a much bigger and more personal story than in any other book on Muhammad Ali-that of two brothers, almost inseparable from birth to death. It is the final and most important perspective on an iconic figure.
More words have been written about Muhammad Ali than almost anyone else. He was, without doubt, the world's most-loved sportsman. At the height of his celebrity he was the most famous person in the world. And yet, until now, the one voice missing belonged to the man who knew him best-his only sibling, and best friend, Rahaman Ali.
No one was closer to Ali than Rahaman. Born Cassius and Rudolph Arnett Clay, the two brothers grew up together, lived together, trained together, travelled together, and fought together in the street and in the ring. A near-constant fixture in his sibling's company, Rahaman saw Ali at both his best and his worst: the relentless prankster and the jealous older brother, the outspoken advocate, the husband and father. In My Brother, Muhammad Ali, Rahaman offers an insider's perspective on the well-known stories as well as never-before-told tales, painting a rich and intimate portrait of a proud, relentlessly polarizing, yet often vulnerable man.
In this extraordinary, poignant memoir, Rahaman tells a much bigger and more personal story than in any other book on Muhammad Ali-that of two brothers, almost inseparable from birth to death. It is the final and most important perspective on an iconic figure.
Reviews / Votes
Rahaman Ali had a ringside seat for nearly all of his brother's life...Yet despite the sheer volume of Ali books, Rahaman Ali succeeds in telling us things we didn't already know about his brother, a man the Guinness Book of World Records decided in 1980 had surpassed Lincoln, Napoleon and Jesus Christ to become the most written-about figure in human history. * USA Today * Arguably no one knew Muhammad Ali better than his brother, as Rahaman Ali proves in this astute account of the world boxing champion's life . . . instead of milking the Champ's well-worn myth and hype, Ali offers an intimate, bittersweet remembrance. This is a great addition to the literature about one of the 20th century's towering figures. * Publishers Weekly * [Ali and Rafiq] present intimate memories of an infamous man. Muhammad Ali's childhood in Louisville, KY; boxing career; Muslim faith; and years in retirement are all described fully, as are the many myths and legends surrounding him-some confirmed, others debunked. Of special interest is a thorough account of Ali's reaction to being drafted during the Vietnam War, a provocative stand that brought him further into mainstream culture. The lifelong connection between the two brothers allows the author to differentiate between Ali's private and public personas. His exclusive observations make this an important account of Ali's life for fans of "The Greatest," and all readers who want to learn more about one of the 20th century's most successful, polarizing, and, ultimately, beloved public figures. -VERDICT The only sibling of Ali brings us into the boxer's inner circle with warmth and ease. * Library Journal * There's no man like Muhammad Ali. Everything we have he supersedes us in... Rahaman, at last, has written the definitive biography on his late brother, which tells the real Ali story by a close family member. -- Mike Tyson The real life of the Great One. A real biography about Muhammad Ali by the man who knew him more/longer than anyone else... the man Ali loved more than himself, his brother. -- George Foreman Heart-warming, multi-faceted and hard-hitting. Thanks to Rahaman's powerful storytelling ability, My Brother, Muhammad Ali shares with the world a tale unlike any other biography on Muhammad Ali. No one knew Muhammad Ali better than Rahaman, and he provides a welcome and insightful addition to the extensive Ali literature. Rahaman was alongside Muhammad Ali all the way, from his street-fighting teenage days, loving home life, soaring fame, marriages, troubles, notoriety, highs and lows. In this long-overdue book, he takes us inside the legend's head and home. And just like the man, the book never stops surprising. A must for fight fans. From the foreword: I've known Rahaman personally for over five and a half decades. I don't think there's anyone who was closer to Muhammad than his own brother. I am delighted that Rahaman has written the definitive biography on his brother Muhammad Ali, who was more than merely the most fascinating sporting figure of modern times. He was a lover of human beings, a warrior for the fight against discrimination, and not only did this great heavyweight champion transcend boxing, but he transcended all sports. The Muhammad Ali story is an important part of history, and I can say, with great conviction, that his legacy will live on for a very long time . . . hopefully forever. -- Jim Brown, NFL LegendMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham, MD
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Illustrations; Halftones, Black & White including Black & White Photographs
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
650 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5381-6954-4 (9781538169544)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Rahaman Ali is the only sibling of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. No one was closer to him - as brothers and best friends, they lived together, trained together and shared pivotal experiences throughout their lives, from Ali's time in the Nation of Islam to the iconic 'Rumble in the Jungle' against George Foreman, and beyond. Rahaman became Ali's chief sparring partner and part of his inner circle, acting as a confidante and personal bodyguard throughout his brother's career. Rahaman retired from competing as a heavyweight himself in 1972, with a record of fourteen wins, three losses and one draw. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.
Fiaz Rafiq is a professional sports and entertainment contributing writer for prominent newspapers, and author of acclaimed biographies of Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. For fifteen years, he was a columnist for a bestselling combat sports magazine MAI, and contributed to Fighters Only, MMA Uncaged, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness and the movie magazine Impact. Fiaz contributed to the authorized documentary, How Bruce Lee Changed the World. He remains close friends with more than one member of Muhammad Ali's family.
Fiaz Rafiq is a professional sports and entertainment contributing writer for prominent newspapers, and author of acclaimed biographies of Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. For fifteen years, he was a columnist for a bestselling combat sports magazine MAI, and contributed to Fighters Only, MMA Uncaged, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness and the movie magazine Impact. Fiaz contributed to the authorized documentary, How Bruce Lee Changed the World. He remains close friends with more than one member of Muhammad Ali's family.
Content
Foreword
Preface
Brotherhood
The Dawn of a Dream
A Brother on a Mission
Muhammad and Malcolm
War and Condemnation
Hard Times
The Great Comeback
Challenging Ali
The Outdoor Adventures
Double Trouble at Camp Deer Lake
House Party
Murder, Mafia, and Mayhem
A Step Too Far
Facing Big George
Trilogy
"I'll Fight Anyone": The MMA Mistake
Reuniting the Beatles
Hollywood
The Soviet Union
Turning Over a New Leaf
Business Blunders
Unusual Encounters
The Final Bell
Summer Holidays
Entertaining Stallone
Another Day, Another Dollar
Fate: From Illness to Divorce
A New Voice
Iraq
Becoming a Dad Again
A Gift of Giving
A Daughter's Fight and the Fall of a Friend
Road to Heaven: A Life Worth Living
In Pursuit of a Better World
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Index
Preface
Brotherhood
The Dawn of a Dream
A Brother on a Mission
Muhammad and Malcolm
War and Condemnation
Hard Times
The Great Comeback
Challenging Ali
The Outdoor Adventures
Double Trouble at Camp Deer Lake
House Party
Murder, Mafia, and Mayhem
A Step Too Far
Facing Big George
Trilogy
"I'll Fight Anyone": The MMA Mistake
Reuniting the Beatles
Hollywood
The Soviet Union
Turning Over a New Leaf
Business Blunders
Unusual Encounters
The Final Bell
Summer Holidays
Entertaining Stallone
Another Day, Another Dollar
Fate: From Illness to Divorce
A New Voice
Iraq
Becoming a Dad Again
A Gift of Giving
A Daughter's Fight and the Fall of a Friend
Road to Heaven: A Life Worth Living
In Pursuit of a Better World
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Index