by Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith; adapted by Margeaux Weston.
Christy Ottaviano Books, October 3, 2023 Print Copy.
Randy Roberts is a renowned history professor at Purdue University with a specialization in 20th-century American history. Johnny Smith is a professor of sports history at Georgia Tech who is known for his extensive research on the intersection of sports and society. The two collaborated to write Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. The book was the winner of the 2017 North American Society for Sport History Book Award. Margeaux Weston, a highly sought-after editor and sensitivity reader based out of Louisiana, adapted the award-winning book for young readers. Roberts and Smith are white men, while Weston is a Black woman who is neurodivergent.
Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X: A Fatal Friendship offers a unique perspective on the political climate that brought these iconic historical figures together as friends and how the volatile era of the civil rights movement ultimately led to the demise of their friendship. In language suitable for middle and high school readers, the book shares the events that led to the intertwining of these two great men’s lives and the journey that led to the eventual end of Malcolm X. The book opens with the strict regimen Cassius Clay adhered to to prepare for his boxing matches and how the racist treatment he experienced led him to reject his religion, political beliefs, personal affiliations, and name. His public stance as Muhammad Ali, a war-opposing Muslim, brought him onto the radar of Malcolm X, whose rising influence as a social commentator and leading religious figure was starting to eclipse the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. As Malcolm’s fame grew, his controversial public statements, ideological clashes with Elijah Muhammad, and censure by the Nation of Islam made his frowned-upon friendship with Ali all the more a lifeline to Malcolm. With extraordinary detail and extensive research, the book sheds light on the levels of betrayal and manipulation that led to one of the most significant fallouts in history that has remained relatively lost in the shadows.
The narrative of Muhammed Ali and Malcolm X is not just a story, it’s an immersive experience. From the first page, you’re not just reading, you’re living the lives of these men and the times they lived in. The extensive research, evident in the hefty bibliography, ensures factual accuracy without bogging down the pace. The book excels at transporting you to the time period, making you feel like you’re right there, and humanizes these iconic figures. Even if you’re familiar with the lives and histories of X and Ali, their friendship and its complexities may surprise you. This book is as insightful as it is riveting.
Grab it! Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, A history buff, or simply a lover a good dose of intriguing historical narratives, this book is a must-have in every type of library. Its riveting storytelling will leave readers yearning for more.
Black Cotton Reviewers 