Cassius X

Cassius X—A Legend in the Making

The making of a legend — Muhammad Ali's pivotal years

About the Ebook

Now a Major Feature Length Documentary: 'Cassius X: 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.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Discover the making of a legend in Muhammad Ali's pivotal years
• Explore the transformation of one of history's greatest athletes
• Engage with vivid sports and cultural biography
• Read another celebrated title from Polygon - an imprint of Birlinn Ltd

Reviews

Cassius X is a delightful ride in a cherry-red Cadillac, with soul music on the radio and a steady hand at the wheel. A thoroughly enjoyable journey. 'Jonathan Eig, author of Ali: A Life'

Crisply written, fast-paced, and original, this book surges with the kind of effervescence we have long associated with a young Cassius Clay... Filled with colourful details, with a learned eye toward the music of the era, Cassius X hits all the right notes. 'Michael Ezra, author of Muhammad Ali: The Making of an Icon'

An engrossing and revelatory read... and a great playlist. You do not have to be a fan of boxing or soul music to love this book. 'Val McDermid, Edinburgh International Book Festival'

'Awards: Featured as one of The Scotsman's Best Sports Books of 2020. The book is also the basis for the major feature-length documentary Cassius X: Becoming Ali (cinema release Spring 2023).'

About the Author

Stuart Cosgrove originally from Perth, was media editor with the NME and a feature writer for a range of newspapers and magazines. In 2005 he was named Broadcaster of the Year in the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards and in 2012 he won numerous awards including a BAFTA and Royal Television Society award for Channel 4's coverage of the London Paralympics 2012. The second book in his soul trilogy, Memphis 68, won the Penderyn Music Prize in 2018.

Publication Details

Publisher: Polygon (an imprint of Birlinn Ltd)

Publication Date: 03 September 2020

Print Length: 288 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788852975

Format: Ebook

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