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One of my childhood heroes is Muhammad Ali. Indisputably he had a massive impact on my generation.
I had read about Ali a long time ago. In fact, I’ve read several of his profiles. In the 90’s, with the wide proliferation of media it became easier to keep abreast of current affairs and, with that improved information flow across the globe, I was able follow Ali even more closely.
Thomas Hauser, author of the book “Muhammad Ali: A tribute to the Greatest”, is the closest thing to a Muhammad Ali expert.
Hauser has written several books on Ali and boxing, and I believe, is Muhammed Ali’s authorized biographer. Thus he had spent a considerable amount of time with Ali and keenly understood his essence; his mind, heart and soul.
Hauser very skillfully expresses the different phases of Ali’s life and I was inspired by Ali’s strength in standing up for what he believed in, irrespective of what it might do to his popularity.
Ali is, rightly, seen as an icon and admired because he made difficult decisions, took risks and showcased his potency with hard work.
During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Ali was re-awarded an Olympic Medal he won in 1960 – it’s interesting that Ali’s account surrounding the medal is different from that which you would hear from the media.
And when it came to the media Ali’s savvy was paralleled. In fact, several of today’s reality programs borrow tactics from Ali – he had a penchant for giving names to opponents, and would rile up the public with his rhetoric; ploys that are the bread and butter of today’s media.
It was a joy to read the book – and to see Ali come alive in my mind.
