Muhammad Ali: The Birth of a Legend, Miami, 1961-1964

by Flip Schulke

Book Overview

Before becoming Muhammad Ali, he was a promising fighter named Cassius Clay, an Olympic medalist training in Miami. This collection of photos capture Clay's intensity at that early stage of his career. Complete with background and interviews with those closest to Clay at the time, this book is a celebration of a man who has become one of the most dynamic figures of our time. 80 photos.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312263600
• ISBN13: 9780312263607
• Release Date: February 2001
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Everyone should have this book on their mantle !

This is a book that's hard to put down. Just when you've thought you had read all you can read about Ali, a book like this comes along. The pictures make you feel as if as though you were there yourself. This was one of the best gifts I've ever received. I plan to pass this treasure on to many for Christmas.

WOW!

This is one of the best books of photography I've ever had the pleasure--and luck--to pore through. Before, I only admired Ali from a distance; now I feel like I can respect him up close. These photos give you such a wonderful image of his self-respect, which is incredibly sexy and just plain cool. Such self-confidence shines through beautifully in the photos, especially the underwater ones (the accompanying stories are enlightening as well). He makes you want to take up boxing (which I plan to!) and redirect your whole attitude: We're all winners! I'm getting this for my little brother--and keeping my own copy! Happy reading...

Maybe the most perfect example of an athlete who ever lived

This book is worth the price for the pictures of 19 year old Ali alone. I have been an Ali fan since I was 12, and I have never seen these pictures before! Ali was 19, and made up a story about how he worked out in a swimming pool, so that the photographer would take underwater photos. They are incredible. So is the fact that, even though he had already won a gold medal, he wasn't allowed to try on clothes in a Miami department store because he was black.There are pictures of him running 5 miles to the gym in his dress pants and work boots, because he didn't have gym clothes! I can't stop looking at these pictures, and I can't believe how brave he was and how hard he had to work.

Essential!

This is an amazing photography book by the renowned civil-rights photographer, Flip Schulke. It is a must-have for any fan of boxing and/or especially Muhammad Ali. As the text states, only five of the 85 photos included here have ever been seen before! I am a huge Ali fan and I have never seen pictures of him when he was so young and in such intimate, ordinary settings. Half of the pictures were taken the year after he won the 1960 gold medal and had begun to train with Angelo Dundee. He was just 19 years old! The other half were taken 4 years later before, during, and after he won his first heavyweight title fight against Sonny Liston. The book is gorgeously designed, and the text is fascinating--especially the informal narrative text sections that are the actual words and thoughts of Mr. Schulke during the time he was taking these pictures and getting to know this not-yet-world-famous fighter. I love this book and plan to give copies to several of my friends for Christmas.