The Greatest: My Own Story

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 1,542 ratings

Price: 21.83

Last update: 12-22-2024


About this item

Audie Award, Autobiography/Memoir, 2017.

In his own words, the heavyweight champion of the world pulls no punches as he chronicles the battles he faced in and out of the ring in this fascinating memoir edited by Nobel Prize-winning novelist, Toni Morrison.

Growing up in the South, surrounded by racial bigotry and discrimination, Ali fought not just for a living, but also for respect and rewards far more precious than money or glory. He was named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated and the BBC. Ali redefined what it meant to be an athlete by giving hope to millions around the world and inspiring us all to fight for what is important to us.

This is a multifaceted portrait of Muhammad Ali only he could render: sports legend, unapologetic anti-war advocate, outrageous showman and gracious goodwill ambassador, fighter, lover, poet, and provocateur, and an irresistible force to be reckoned with.

Who better to tell the tale than the man who went the distance living it?


Top reviews from the United States

  • Old-Duckman
    5.0 out of 5 stars "The Greatest" for sure !
    Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2022
    I was a fan of Clay when I was growing up. No problem when he became a Muslim and changed his name. I did have a problem when he dodged the draft...However when I read this book I gained respect for his reasoning and resolve.

    The book gave much insight to his fights , his training, his opinion of other fighters and life as a black man in general. I was a teenager when the civil right riots were in full swing, I was not on the side of blacks at the time. Reading this book opened my eyes to the horrible conditions some black people suffered in those years and I gained understanding of their fight as well.

    There were many parts of the book where I found myself laughing and sadly times when I shed a tear as well. Ali was a wonderful man, a man of integrity and strength, not only strength of body but strength of character as well. I miss him.

    There was one chapter that was not so great IMO and that was the one where he was talking about his ex wife but as the champ might say, ya can't win 'em all. Other than that chapter the book was fantastic even down to the last chapter and the last sentence in particular.

    Near the end of the book I was, at times, confused about just what fight he was talking about as he seemed to shift between one fight and another but just keep reading and it all comes together.

    I stood about four feet from Mr. Ali during his speech at a 4th of July parade in Chicago, though I don't recall anything in particular that he said in the speech (was the late 70's) I do recall that, at the time, I was mightily impressed and it is a highlight of my past experiences. I will forever fondly remember Mohammad Ali and even more so now that I know him better through this book.
  • Keisha Tiffany
    5.0 out of 5 stars It was really good
    Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2023
    Yall I am so excited to have finally finished my first book of 2023. Now this book did take me a while to finish because I just have so much going on in my personal life and with the work but this was a really really good book. I love how he talked about him being disciplined, I love how he talked about the different fights that he won and even the fight with Frasier that he lost. He talked about his exile from when he refused to join the army to him being married twice and having kids. His confidence radiates and I feel like everyone should have his mindset like they are the greatest. I was also really compelled to read this book because we saw the world's greatest wish was the soundtrack and his movie at our fifth grade graduation. I also really liked how he talked about how he changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali and him being a Muslim so that journey was a really great read I just didn't like how he tried to control and conform his first wife to be somebody that she wasn't. Now this book is over 400 pages so it will take you some time to get through it but I would definitely recommend reading this book to you as he came about in a time when being a boxer as a black man was very difficult so I applaud his dedication and his determination. 4/5 stars great read!!
  • Zana Tillett
    5.0 out of 5 stars INTIMATE, REVELATORY, INSPIRATIONAL...ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2020
    IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE THE GREATEST READ THIS!

    Most people mistake Ali as arrogant but dont understand the story behind his CONFIDENCE. This book takes the reader on a journey. It: facilitates EMOTIONAL HIGHS AND LOWS, discloses the GREED of TWISTED PUPPETEERS in sports but most importantly allows you to partake in a revelatory journey full of obstacles and perseverance that made ALI THE greatest. What makes someone great is not what they do when the cameras are watching but what they do when no one is watching and when the tides are against you. I read this book as I try to navigate my life as becoming a beacon of hope for the world. I would mention that the non disclosed editor Toni Morrison is not mentioned in this book, but was instrumental in crafting this body of work. She released her edited version in 1975, but VERY SIMILAR to this and with the same writer.

    FUN FACTS: AUTHOR IS BLACK

    WHY READ: for those looking to better themselves and/or see if you have the qualities of being a great leader (i.e.; integrity, resilience, determination, faith, confidence, whit, love of God and ppl, etc) I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS! Some ppl will not be able appreciate ALL THE HIDDEN GEMS and universal traits shared by other greats OBAMA, NELSON, etc but if you do then you will see a trend and pattern.
  • Ed18371
    4.0 out of 5 stars very good read albeit very long
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2016
    very good read albeit very long!..., get a good insight into the thoughts of the man himself as it is written in his own words. Extraordinary man who transcended sport really...., before I read this I thought he was only a boxer but he was a very intelligent and complex man....
  • Kevlar S
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2024
    My father in law said he wanted to read it, so we bought it. He let me read after, and yes it’s a very great read.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good food for a broken heart.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2018
    I purchased this book shortly after watching his documentary. I did not know that I would be devastated and heartbroken by someone that I loved just a few days after I purchased it. I was asked to do things that I just couldn’t conform to. In my brokenness I read this book. What a blessing. I literally cried the whole time. As I read the stories I could hear him speak of his fights and victories; especially the nights when I couldn’t sleep. I’m so thankful that I read this book.

    The struggles, the disappointments........ Wow

    It teaches you to stand for yourself, for your belief and conviction. To face disappointments and heartaches. Stay real and honest to yourself and then to mankind.

    I’m the sweetest!!!

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