Ali on Ali: Why He Said What He Said When He Said It

Muhammad Ali was a champion, a poet, a prophet. Sports Illustrated called him the greatest athlete of the twentieth century. And yet he was even more than all of that, a whole greater than the sum of its parts . . . bigger, brighter, more original and influential than just about anyone of his era (Barack Obama). He got there with his fists, with his actions, and above all, with his words. Compiled and written by his daughter Hana Ali, with sportswriter Danny Peary, Ali on Ali brings together a remarkable mix of Alis 70 most humorous, poignant, inspirational, political, and philosophical quotes, all with their origins. Heres Alis enduring boast, I am the greatest!and how it was inspired by professional wrestler Gorgeous George. The story behind one of the most memorably poetic lines of the centuryFloat like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The heard-round-the-world defiance of I aint got no quarrel with them Viet Cong, and its moving context. And the stories behind quotes ranging from outrageWe been in jail for 400 years, to inspirationI hated every minute of training, but I said Dont quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion, to that infectious combination of humor and bravadoIf you even dream of beating me you better wake up and apologize. Included are powerful photographs throughout, from iconic fight scenes to never-before-seen Ali family snapshots; quotes about Ali, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Billy Crystal; a career timeline; and a personal introduction by Hana Ali. See more