Cassius X - Die Legende Muhammed Ali

by Stuart Cosgrove, Kristof Hahn (Translator)

"Cassius X" handelt von der Verbindung zwischen Malcolm X, Soulsänger Sam Cooke und Cassius Clay, der kurz darauf zum Islam konvertierte und als Muhammad Ali in die Geschichte eingehen wird. Im Jahre 1963 trafen sie sich in Miami, als Cassius dort trainierte, wo er ein Jahr darauf seinen legendären Kampf gegen Sonny Liston führen wird. Der preisgekrönte schottische Journalist Stuart Cosgrove verbindet auf faszinierende Art und Weise die Biografien dreier Legenden aus Sport, Soul und Politik, deren Wege sich an einem entscheidenden Wendepunkt der amerikanischen Geschichte kreuzen.

400 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2021

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.