Ebbets Field
Reviews
Remnick delivers a sting with ‘King’
By BOBBY BOOKER JR.
Ebbets Field Staff Writer
“I shook up the world, I shook up the world,” said the young and vibrant Cassius Clay as he celebrated his sixth-round TKO of Sonny Liston in 1964. His vivacious personality, unprecedented actions, silky smooth ring presence and mordant words formed an intoxicating residue that put the entire world on a high from which it has yet to descend. Droves of writers have written accounts about the king of athletic kings, but the majority of them lack the organicity of David Remnick’s biography, King of the World.
A distinguishing mark that sets Remnick’s novelistic jewel apart from the other accounts of the "Louisville Lip" is the fact that its scope only extends to 1965. Thus, Remnick illustrates the fact that quantity will never outweigh quality and that originality is directly proportional to imagination and dedication to unearthing viable sources. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Remnick does an exceptional job of dispelling long-time embraced rumors concerning the life and times of Ali. For example, many believe that Ali, then Cassius Clay, threw his 1960 Olympic gold medal into the Ohio River during a fit of anger, but the truth of the matter is that he misplaced it.
Another myth involves Ali’s conversion to Islam. For decades a considerable portion of the viewing public has always perceived that Ali’s conversion and decision to become Islamic was a publicity stunt or some spontaneous move pulled out of oblivion; however, Remnick’s meticulous research counterattacks this myth. Ali had been communicating with Malcom X, formerly known as Malcom Little, for years before his conversion; hence, Ali’s decision was preceded by deep and intensive thought. By doing away with such prevarications, Remnick is in essence polishing a piece of Ali’s legacy with the polish of third person and with a cloth composed of four parts.
The conflict in King of the World is presented in such a way that the reader can actually partake in every heated moment. For example, many overlook a choice that Ali had to make once, the choice between Malcom X and Elijah Muhammad, formerly known as Elijah Poole. Ali chose to side with the elderly Muahammad, but the conflict was that he was drawn to both of these men and to be forced to choose between them automatically caused a degree of pain. Another occurrence defined by conflict was the champ’s decision to officially change his name from Cassius Marcellus Clay to Muhammad Ali. He denounced Clay as his slave name and he thus shocked both black and white America alike. It was unheard of for a black athlete to take political stands and stand behind them in the muck of controversy. Remnick’s cogent reporting and concise writing style allows the reader to harness the full sensation of Ali’s effrontery.
Another credit to the book is the variety of photographs that give a brief visual synopsis of the most photographed man in the history of sport, the man who has been on the cover of Sports Illustrated more than any other athlete, including Michael Jordan. Perhaps the most powerful photo is the one of Ali that graces the cover of Remnick’s book. It is as if this headshot of Ali, with sweat trickling down his face, captures every strand of his charisma and his tireless efforts as an athlete and unabashed orator dropping his brand of philosophy. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” was a phrase originated by Bundini Brown, perhaps the foremost member of the Muhammad Ali entourage. Every time Ali stepped into the ring he floated and his punches not only stung the opposition but the establishment as well.
King of the World is guaranteed to dance on the hearts of any avid Ali fan and sting what he or she thought they knew.
Remnick’s work is fresh and worthy of its subject.
King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero. By David Remnick. Random House. New York. 1998. 326 pages.
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