Becoming Muhammad Ali

BECOMING MUHAMMAD ALI is a hybrid novel with dozens of poems and short sections of prose that tell the story of the boxing legend's early life and emergence as a Golden Gloves amateur champion. Each chapter (or "round") begins with a brief section written from the perspective of one of young Cassius Clay's best friends, Lucky, followed by a series of poems, many of which emulate the lyrical style that the "Louisville Lip" would later make famous in press conferences and public appearances. A collaboration between best-selling author James Patterson and award-wining poet Kwame Alexander, the project received the official blessing of the late boxer's family and estate and draws from oral history interviews conducted with his friends and family. Growing up in a middle class household in the segregated South, young Cassius is confused and disturbed by the racism all around him. As a part of a strong family with an inspiring patriarch -- his grandfather, Herman --Cassius learns the value of hard work, humility, and discipline. However, he struggles to read and has trouble keeping up in school due to his undiagnosed dyslexia. He decides he wants to do something exciting with his life, almost accidentally falling into boxing when he stumbles into a local gym and begins training. Once he sees a path forward through sports, he becomes determined to be the best, working relentlessly and learning from mentors and elder statesmen in the sport. The story follows Cassius from his introduction to boxing up through his first televised fights and the local and national Golden Gloves competitions, ending with his arrival as a star talent and gold medalist at the 1960 Olympic Games. A brief epilogue traces the outlines of the rest of his storied career, touching on his decision to join the Nation of Islam and change his name, his imprisonment as a result of his refusal to fight in what he believed to be an unjust war in Vietnam, and his post-boxing career as a humanitarian and activist.