Cassius X: A Legend in the Making

by Stuart Cosgrove

Now a Major Feature Length 'Cassius Becoming Ali' (Cinema release Spring 2023) 

Miami, 1963. A young boy from Louisville, Kentucky, is on the path to becoming the greatest sportsman of all time. Cassius Clay is training in the 5th Street Gym for his heavyweight title clash against the formidable Sonny Liston. He is beginning to embrace the ideas and attitudes of Black Power, and firebrand preacher Malcolm X will soon become his spiritual adviser. Thus Cassius Clay will become 'Cassius X' as he awaits his induction into the Nation of Islam.

Cassius also befriends the legendary soul singer Sam Cooke, falls in love with soul singer Dee Dee Sharp and becomes a remarkable witness to the first days of soul music. As with his award-winning soul trilogy, Stuart Cosgrove's intensive research and sweeping storytelling shines a new light on how black music lit up the sixties against a backdrop of social and political turmoil – and how Cassius Clay made his remarkable transformation into Muhammad Ali.

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2020

About the author

Scottish journalist, broadcaster and television executive. Worked as a journalist on the NME and The Face magazine during the 1980s. Was at Channel 4, London from 1994 to 2015, serving as Controller of Arts and Entertainment and then Head of Programmes (Nations and Regions).

Reviews

[Keith Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cosgrove's writing improves with every book, after his epic soul trilogy this is a more than worthy addition to his engaging and informative catalogue.

[Allan Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific book from Stuart Cosgrove.

Mixing boxing, music and social history reveals degrees of nuance that wider biographies can easily miss.

[Malcolm Schaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different portrayal of an icon

I like Stuart Cosgrove as a broadcaster and his appalling humour on Off The Ball..I have read his soul trilogy where his enthusiasm for soul music and the many tragedies and injustices perpetrated on black America are meticulously recorded.
This latest book is a prequel to the soul trilogy and is centred around the pantheon known as Cassius Clay in the early days of his professional career.His links to the music scene are brought out with special.reference to the too easily forgotten Sam Cooke but in particular as the book title implies Ali's conversion to Islam under the I influence of Malcolm X is vividly portrayed.We are introduced to many characters - the menacing but tragic Sonny Liston especially stands out and as ever there is a mountain of detail produced by the author.
That is the main weakness of the book -too much detail which tanked us away from the core focus of the book and leaves one confused in picking up.the storyline.A prime example is when Clay -as he was- visits London so we then get transported into the Profumo affair ,quite unnecessarily .Characters in his other books e.g. Florence Ballard ,Tammi Terrell and Sam and Dave make fleeting appearances that have little relevance and stories covered in this books are retold with no.added value.
I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading Cassius X but I wanted to.like it more and suspect it could have been a greater work

[Mylesgorton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and informative book about a crucial period of Muhammad Ali‘s life the transfer from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali via Cassius X. The tight connection between Cassius and the burgeoning soul scene in the various cities he trained in or traveled to is a story I have not seen covered before and it puts an interesting spin on the whole story. In places I found the link to Cassius was somewhat incidental but like all good stories the narrative eventually returns to Cassius. Thoroughly fascinating book.

[Simon Reuber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das Buch liest sich, als würde der Leser selbst in den 60er Jahren an Seite von Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X und Sam Cooke wandern. Wer sich für afroamerikanische Bürgerrechtsbewegung und den Selbstermächtigungskampf interessiert, sollte nicht zögern, zuzugreifen!
Ich habe das Buch verschlungen, absolute Leseempfehlung!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

There making of The Greatest

A brilliant follow up to Cosgrove's Soul trilogy which documents the rise of Cassius X while continuing the history lesson of soul music, this time in Miami and Philadelphia

[Marc Zissou · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling read that covers Cassius Clays move into Islam. The story factors in soul music, civil rights and the buildup to his battles with Sonny Liston.

A solid book with numerous anecdotes of why Clay/Ali will forever be known as 'The Greatest'.

[Bill McFadyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many of Stuart Cosgrove’s books over the past few years - I have enjoyed his walks through Memphis and Detroit - this is a really interesting and educating read. - a great way to start the new year.