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Rating: 
Summary: Better than the Movie
Review: I'm not a boxing fan, but after seeing the recent "Ali" movie, I was inspired to take Mike Marqusee's "Redemption Song" off my bookshelf and read it. I got the book because I heard Marqusee last year in a radio interview about Ali and the Black Power movement of the sixties and I was very interested in the culture and politics that both shaped Ali and was influenced by him. I found "Redemption Song" a powerful and well written book that gives so much more depth than the new movie. The depth of Marqusee's research and analysis made me realize that the Ali movie would have needed to be a trilogy in order to do justice the champ's life. Ali's defiance of racist draft policies could have been an entire movie in and of itself. While "Ali" movie focuses on Ali's defiance, Marqusee's book provides the context for Ali's anti-war stance. His description and analysis makes the movie's focus a mere footnote to this part of Ali's history. When Ali argued, "Man, I ain't got not quarrel with them Vietcong," he was taking a religious and political stance on a personal, cultural/racial, and class level. He was not only echoing the developing anti-war movement, but giving voice to it, even though he never sought to be a leader within the movement. He was in sync with civil rights activists like John Lewis who complained, "I don't see how President Johnson can send troops to Vietnam...to the Congo...to Africa and can't send troops to Selma, Alabama," [where the civil rights of Black people were systemically and violently denied civil rights on a daily basis.] He was in line with Martin L. King who boldly declared and preached that the war "morally and politically unjust." His refusal to participate in the bombing of thousands of innocent children and women in Vietnam and Cambodia was a part of many anti-war demonstrations in which Stokely Carmicheal described Selective Services as "white people sending black people to make war on yellow people in order to defend land they stole from red people." Marqusee reminds us most in his book that boxing in this country was linked to issues of race and power representation. Thus, Black boxers and other sports figures like Jackie Robinson were measured, promoted, and criticized by how patriotic they were to the White power structure in this country. They were expected to be like Joe Louis who stood "as a role model--for white America, for the black middle class and for much of the left--by enlisting for military service in World War II," or an anti-communist like Robinson. But Ali becomes a bug in the system. Guided by Black nationalist ideology of the Nation of Islam and Malcolm X specifically, Ali rewrote the script for how Black sports figures were to behave. He proclaimed, "I'm free to be what I want." But as Marqusee points and shows, "he did not invent himself out nothing. In his search for personal freedom he was propelled and guided by a wide array of interacting social forces." This search and influence is the heart of Marqussee's book. I would imagine there's much that Marqusee leaves out his book. And at times he seems too apologetic about Ali's break with Malcolm X, his relationship with the conservative tide of the Nation of Islam, and the inherent contradictions between his religious convictions and his views about marriage. Marqusee could have also provided specific references for his research. His bibliography is simply not enough. Despite these criticism, "Redemption Song" is a much needed work to offset efforts to depoliticize Ali's past. Read it before or after you see the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Blackxploitation redux
Review: I'm not a boxing fan, but after seeing the recent "Ali" movie, I was inspired to take Mike Marqusee's "Redemption Song" off my bookshelf and read it. I got the book because I heard Marqusee last year in a radio interview about Ali and the Black Power movement of the sixties and I was very interested in the culture and politics that both shaped Ali and was influenced by him. I found "Redemption Song" a powerful and well written book that gives so much more depth than the new movie. The depth of Marqusee's research and analysis made me realize that the Ali movie would have needed to be a trilogy in order to do justice the champ's life. Ali's defiance of racist draft policies could have been an entire movie in and of itself. While "Ali" movie focuses on Ali's defiance, Marqusee's book provides the context for Ali's anti-war stance. His description and analysis makes the movie's focus a mere footnote to this part of Ali's history. When Ali argued, "Man, I ain't got not quarrel with them Vietcong," he was taking a religious and political stance on a personal, cultural/racial, and class level. He was not only echoing the developing anti-war movement, but giving voice to it, even though he never sought to be a leader within the movement. He was in sync with civil rights activists like John Lewis who complained, "I don't see how President Johnson can send troops to Vietnam...to the Congo...to Africa and can't send troops to Selma, Alabama," [where the civil rights of Black people were systemically and violently denied civil rights on a daily basis.] He was in line with Martin L. King who boldly declared and preached that the war "morally and politically unjust." His refusal to participate in the bombing of thousands of innocent children and women in Vietnam and Cambodia was a part of many anti-war demonstrations in which Stokely Carmicheal described Selective Services as "white people sending black people to make war on yellow people in order to defend land they stole from red people." Marqusee reminds us most in his book that boxing in this country was linked to issues of race and power representation. Thus, Black boxers and other sports figures like Jackie Robinson were measured, promoted, and criticized by how patriotic they were to the White power structure in this country. They were expected to be like Joe Louis who stood "as a role model--for white America, for the black middle class and for much of the left--by enlisting for military service in World War II," or an anti-communist like Robinson. But Ali becomes a bug in the system. Guided by Black nationalist ideology of the Nation of Islam and Malcolm X specifically, Ali rewrote the script for how Black sports figures were to behave. He proclaimed, "I'm free to be what I want." But as Marqusee points and shows, "he did not invent himself out nothing. In his search for personal freedom he was propelled and guided by a wide array of interacting social forces." This search and influence is the heart of Marqussee's book. I would imagine there's much that Marqusee leaves out his book. And at times he seems too apologetic about Ali's break with Malcolm X, his relationship with the conservative tide of the Nation of Islam, and the inherent contradictions between his religious convictions and his views about marriage. Marqusee could have also provided specific references for his research. His bibliography is simply not enough. Despite these criticism, "Redemption Song" is a much needed work to offset efforts to depoliticize Ali's past. Read it before or after you see the movie.
Rating:
Summary: ALI THE MAN VS ALI THE MYTH
Review: It is an enthralling historical look at Muhammad Ali. It's not the usual biographical fare but a hearty feast of Ali in relationship to This book reveals much about racism in boxing and in general society. Ali's refusal to fight was not what scared the establishment but his being his own man and his choice of spiritual beliefs. Even if you're not a boxing fan this is a book you must read. If you read nothing else make sure it's Redemption Song. It is a true commentary on race relations in the US. Before Ali, no boxer since Jack Johnson had so terrified society. Johnson had been considered a brute and it was his perceived animalistic nature that scared people. Ali, on the other hand was more refined and this created and even greater fear. His smoothness, so-called glibness and the ability to promote himself so well was terrifying. Here was a man who rather than being the humble servant of the boxing world declared, "I am the greatest." This declaration of independence scared the hell out of white america. Here was a man who was not going to conform to the mold layed out for Black athletes. Redemption Song shows not only boxing's hypocrisy but all of America's. Ali defined himself rather than allow others to do so. He was his own person and because he didn't fit into society's idea of a Black American athlete -being grateful for crumbs- he scared many. Not since Joe Louis had one "negro" fighter had been on the minds of white america. Whereas, Louis permitted society to give him the burden to carry his race upon his shoulders, Ali had it thrust upon him. Louis wouldn't even eat watermelon, something he really loved, in public because of stereotyping. Joe Louis emergence in the thirties had his handlers so concerned that he "...was given lessons in table manners and elocution...told to go for the knockout rather than risk the whims of racist judges;...never to smile when he beat a white man and, above all, never to be caught alone with a white woman." Ali like Johnson before him decided to define himself. His brashness made the establishment feel he was uncontrollable. For him it was just a "way of breaking out of the racist stranglehold." Now the venerated symbol of dignity and personal determination, Ali was not viewed that way in the past. When he announced he'd joined the Nation of Islam America turned on him black and white. He became, in that instant, the most hated man in the United States. It seems because he espoused the idea of racial separation (which white america wanted) he became more dangerous. Although this is a book about Ali and boxing, it is much more. It is a story of representation (sports as a metaphor for war). It is a history of racism in the United States. Why must one man (if non-white) be responsible for the fate of his people. Examples of this type of representation abound in this book (Joe Lous, Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali). Redemption Song paints a picture of how thirty years can make such a difference in one man's life and the life of the country. Over the years athletes in general and black athletes in particular have been used as representations. Either they must represent their race or the nation. Never are they allowed to be human beings with all the feelings, emotions, faults and good they have. It is a look at how not only does white america like to stereotype people but how black america at times buys into this notion. Ali defied society and paid dearly for it. Years of income were lost because he wouldn't renounce Islam. Whether one agrees or disagrees with someone's beliefs is not the issue but should one be deprived of a means to make a living because of what they believe. The opening paragraph explains it all. "A strange fate befell Muhammad Ali.... The man who had defied the establishment was taken into its bosom." Suddenly a man who not too many years before had been reviled now found himself as an icon. Redemption Song is a truly stirring and thought provoking look at man's constant attempt to rewrite history. Reading it makes one stop and think of the distrastrous results of racial prejudice. Marqusee looks at many historical acts and shows the pattern of hatred the United States has heaped on people of color. He makes you realize the My Lai massacre is very much like Wounded Knee. Although this book emphasizes the racist nature of Americn society, it also looks at how individuals in specific groups are used against each other. Were black sports figures and leaders against Ali because they really disagreed with his choice to join the Nation of Islam or because they thought it would get them in good with white america? I don't know and of course one may never know but it is something to think about. A notable quote regarding Ali comes from basketball great Bill Russell. "Philosophically, Ali was a free man. "...he was free at a time when historically it was very difficult to be free..." Redemption Song will make you think. That's the highest tribute one can give any author. To Mike Marqusee I say thank you. To all who want a great historical read I say pick up Redemption Song and give your mind a workout.
Rating:
Summary: ALI:HIS OWN MAN
Review: Mike Marqusee does a Wonderful Job Here.Muhammad ALI is a One of a Kind MAN.EVerything about Him was Freedom.HE Took The WORLD By It's Ears&Ran With it.He was as Scary as Jack Johnson.Got Peoples attention the Same way The Brown Bomber did JOE LOUIS.but He Took The Past&Was Creating a Better Future.Here was A NEGRO MAN Who Was Not Gonna be treated as A 2nd Class Citzen.He Demanded&Got the same RESPECT IN&OUT OF THE RING.HE IS A TRUE HERO.
Rating: 
Summary: Viewing racial politics through Ali's journey
Review: This book isn't so much about Ali as about Black radical politics of the 60's and 70's and the way Ali's public life reflected them. An excellent, thoughtful book that reads more like a monograph than a work of popular non-fiction (cf. David Remnick's "King of the World", a more accessible book with a different focus and scope). If you are interested in the Nation of Islam, the Black Panthers, the Black Power movement and the ways boxing historically has reflected the racial realities of its time, you will find this book engrossing and informative. If you are looking for a conventional "boxing book" (whatever that is), you will be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Blackxploitation redux
Review: This is nothing less than the story of an African American man's struggle to define himself within the context of the 60's US black power movement exploited by a white Englishman. Mike Marqusee brings nothing new to the story of Muhamed Ali other than stilted prose and an uncritical eye. It fails as a book about boxing and is equally weak with respect to Ali's struggle with the white establishment of his day. Marqusee's attempt to embrace Ali's story serves only to water down the true struggle of an entire generation against the evils of institutional racism.
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