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The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey
by
Muhammad Ali
"During my boxing career, you did not see the real Muhammad Ali. You just saw a little boxing. You saw only a part of me. After I retired from boxing my true work began. I have embarked on a journey of love."
So Muhammad Ali begins this spiritual memoir, his description of the values that have shaped and sustained him and that continue to guide his life. In
...moreHardcover, 256 pages
Published
November 16th 2004
by Simon & Schuster
(first published 2004)
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Disappointing if I'm honest. Not really an insight into the mind of a champion but the religious musings of someone blinded by ideas about spiritualism. He does describe all religions as 'different paths to the same truth' and his ideas about inter-faith harmony should be embraced by all those unable to accept athiesm. However, if you were hoping to see that, behind the Parkinson's Disease there is still the wit and fire that he had as a boxer then you will be disappointed.
My biggest criticism w...more
My biggest criticism w...more
The Soul of a Butterfly
Do you know the real Muhammad Ali? Not just the boxer but the person inside the religious man that was not seen in the ring. Well in this book the Soul of a Butterfly you will see that man. This book was good because it showed his life before boxing and how he was a little boy growing up in Louisville, KY and why he started boxing. Also it talks about what it was like for him going through the hard times when he didn’t go to Vietnam and how religion helped h...more
Do you know the real Muhammad Ali? Not just the boxer but the person inside the religious man that was not seen in the ring. Well in this book the Soul of a Butterfly you will see that man. This book was good because it showed his life before boxing and how he was a little boy growing up in Louisville, KY and why he started boxing. Also it talks about what it was like for him going through the hard times when he didn’t go to Vietnam and how religion helped h...more
This is a great book.
Found this book inspirational and easy to read. Not a long winded read. Chapter were bite-sized and was exactly what I needed. A great read by one that has lived an extraordinary life. Had a chance to meet him when I was only four, but he was eating with family at friends at the Bob's Big Boy on Wilshire Blvd in LA. Thought I would have that chance again, but much time has passed. Hope to meet him someday. Soon.
Watched When We were Kings. Enjoyed the movie Ali. Not a great ...more
Found this book inspirational and easy to read. Not a long winded read. Chapter were bite-sized and was exactly what I needed. A great read by one that has lived an extraordinary life. Had a chance to meet him when I was only four, but he was eating with family at friends at the Bob's Big Boy on Wilshire Blvd in LA. Thought I would have that chance again, but much time has passed. Hope to meet him someday. Soon.
Watched When We were Kings. Enjoyed the movie Ali. Not a great ...more
This was an interesting read, and Ali is a unique person with a very American story. His rise from Cassius Clay, poor black boy in a time of great prejudice and discrimination, to the people's hero is a wonderful story. I enjoyed the fact that his 'voice' was not changed with an editor. He writes simplistically and with great integrity.
My 14 year old son read this book and was really affected by it. It's a good read for young boys, and started a few dialogues with my son and I such as...more
My 14 year old son read this book and was really affected by it. It's a good read for young boys, and started a few dialogues with my son and I such as...more
Muhammad Ali has been one of my favorite athletes since I was a kid, drawn to his brash personality as much as his prowess in the ring. So, when I was asked to write a series of videos that honored his work at the Ali Center in Louisville, KY, I knew the research would be fun. I started - and pretty much finished - here.
This autobiography truly lets you into the soul of the man. It's not a detailed look at each stage of his life. Instead, he speaks more philosophically, sharing...more
This autobiography truly lets you into the soul of the man. It's not a detailed look at each stage of his life. Instead, he speaks more philosophically, sharing...more
A very spiritual memoir of primarily how Islam and his faith has made him
the man that he is today, noting that most of his bravado was for show to
entice fans and get large crowds. He speaks specifically of his great
African American pride (and his dislike of the inequality) that led him to
the teachings of Islam. He speaks specifically of winning his Olympic gold
medal for the US and then coming home to Kentucky, wearing it everywhere
with honor, and still...more
the man that he is today, noting that most of his bravado was for show to
entice fans and get large crowds. He speaks specifically of his great
African American pride (and his dislike of the inequality) that led him to
the teachings of Islam. He speaks specifically of winning his Olympic gold
medal for the US and then coming home to Kentucky, wearing it everywhere
with honor, and still...more
Excellent book (CD). I enjoyed reading Muhammad's biography. The only problem which doesn't pertain to the book was the reader on the CD. Although he is an actor, he was very hard to understand. Some parts of the book or quotes are done by Muhammad's daughter. She would have done a much better job in reading the whole book. She is easier to understand.
I've been interested in biographies/true to life stories lately. I wasn't sure I would like this one since I don't really care about any sports especially boxing, but it provided a lot of interesting information on the life and career of Ali. He sounds like a wonderful and caring person, who I would be honored to meet some day.
I have never understood or liked boxing, I could never see past its brutality and violence.
However, I have always liked Ali's persona, wit and showmanship. He is a remarkable person and one of the few truly pure souls outthere.
A beautiful, inspiring read which provides insight into his conversion to Islam, his mind, his background and, sadly, Parkinson's.
However, I have always liked Ali's persona, wit and showmanship. He is a remarkable person and one of the few truly pure souls outthere.
A beautiful, inspiring read which provides insight into his conversion to Islam, his mind, his background and, sadly, Parkinson's.
My dad had me hooked on Muhammad Ali not only as a boxer but as a person when I was younger so I was intrigued when I saw this on the book shelf, I knew I had to read it just on the simple fact that I am a huge fan. This book truly reflects his life journey by outlining the important parts of his life and the events and life experiences that define him as told by both he and his daughter.
I loved it and think Muhammad Ali must be one of the most inspiring men on earth.
Inside the ring or out, ain't nothing wrong with going down. It's staying down that's wrong. - Muhammad Ali
Inside the ring or out, ain't nothing wrong with going down. It's staying down that's wrong. - Muhammad Ali
I found this book really interesting. I really enjoyed hearing Ali's philosophical views and it helped me learn more about the race divide than I had known before.
I'm not a religious person myself, and I can't count any of Ali's many included poems amongst my favorites, but the size of the man's heart provides such a beautiful form of inspiration. I was tremendously moved many times, and thoroughly recommend this book regardless of your religious background or post as a poetry professor.
This book motivates you towards greatness in perhapps the most simple words and man has written orignally in English.
Ali takes a sentimental look back at his life, with emphasis on the spiritual. It's superficial but honest for the most part.
loved learning about this AMAZING man and his life...what an inspiration
I really enjoyed this book, it opened my eyes to a side of Islam I never knew.
another life changer...
I liked this book a lot even though it is not great literature. Ali wrote it very simply and focused mostly on himself as a person, rather than on his role as a boxer. His sensitivity comes through so well that I'll likely read this book again.
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I found myself quoting from this book every day as I was reading it. Priceless wisdom in these pages!
The more I learn about Muhammad Ali, the more I admire him. This inspirational book is a collection of observations, thoughts, poems and stories that Ali felt inspired to share. Some words are his own, many are words he picked up along the way. Thank God he was blessed with magnificent skill as a boxer, so that he'd be given a platform to be recorgnized as far more than that later in life. I imagine this is a book I'll read again in a few years.
Former World Heavyweight Boxing champion and current Ambassador for Peace tells his inspirational story. From growing up dyslexic in Louisville, Ky., being a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, becoming the greatest fighter of all time, to living with Parkinson's. Ali's faith in himself and God has always allowed him to rise above life's challenges.
For a biography it had a refreshing format with short vignettes interspersed with Ali's original poetry. Insightful flashbacks from a fascinating man spoken with a real honest voice.
One of the best biographys ive read! Ali has always been my hero since i met him but reading his book has made me appriciate him on a whole new level!
This book was a very interesting read. It dealt more with the background of Ali and less of the ring. Some of the quotes in this book are inspiring.
Great box if you like boxing and are a fan!
Texas Kinnar
marked it as to-read
Kate Sim
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Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.; January 17, 1942) is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist.
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“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it - then I can achieve it.”
—
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