Overview

“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.

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9781538142448

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Ali succeeds in telling us some 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. Despite doubts that have persisted for decades, the younger Ali insists that he saw his brother drop his Olympic Gold Medal in the Ohio River after being refused service in a Louisville restaurant. He recounts pranks pulled on Michael Jackson, a conversation with Sylvester Stallone about womanizing and Ali's efforts to reunite the Beatles for a charity concert.--Louisville Courier-Journal [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 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 Legend 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 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. 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 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 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 Legend 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 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. 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 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 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.

"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.--Fox Sports No one knew Muhammad Ali better than Rahaman, and he provides a welcome and insightful addition to the extensive Ali literature.--Sunday Times 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.--Sunday Sport 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 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 [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"" 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"" 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 Legend 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"""

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. 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 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 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.

Author Information

Rahaman Ali is the brother of Muhammad Ali. A boxer himself, Rahaman because Ali’s best sparring partner and part of his inner circle, also acting as a personal bodyguard throughout his brother’s career. At Ali’s request, Rahaman retired from competing as a heavyweight himself in 1972, with a record of 14 wins, three losses, and one draw. Ali has appeared in countless documentaries on his brother, including Facing Ali, Rumble in the Jungle, Frank Skinner on Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story and I Am Ali. Additionally, he has appeared on TV shows such as ABC’s Wide World of Sports, The Fight and on CNN, and on BBC and ITV in the UK. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Fiaz Rafiq is a contributing writer on boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) for the Sun. He regularly contributes to British national newspapers and American/British editions of Fighters Only magazine. For 15 years Rafiq was a major columnist and features writer for the bestselling combat sports magazine MAI. He collaborated on the New York Times bestseller Becoming the Natural (the autobiography of Ultimate Fighting Championship legend Randy Couture) and on The Last Round by Randy Couture. Rafiq has also written oral biographies of Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. An authority on the late, great Bruce Lee, in 2010 he contributed to the authorized documentary about him, How Bruce Lee Changed the World.

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