Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X

Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith

Basic Books

Blood Brothers is a an essential read for anyone looking to understand how the lives of the world heavyweight championing intersected with  the controversial social activist Malcolm X.

Their paths crossed in the early 1960s where they each fought to put Civil Rights on the front pages. Although each man did so in his own way, collectively they were formidable. Both were masterful orators with a common Muslim faith, bought had fought with the American Government while also going many rounds in the court of public opinion. Malcolm and Ali each endured their struggles with a swagger and bravado that oftentimes intimidated the status quo while inspiring others.

In the book Smith and Roberts each delve deeply into their involvement in the Nation of Islam, their common experiences with social justice and eventually their mutual fear of retribution from the powerful Elijah Muhammad. The authors also point out that both men were larger-than-life figures who wielded a great deal of power through their words and deeds.

Each man was unrelenting in exposing the brutal ugliness of prejudice and injustice. Both Malcolm X and Ali parlayed their individual forums into opportunities to call attention to their causes. However, whereas Malcolm had a flair for manipulating situations and opportunities to his advantage, Ali’s ascension came at a time when sportsmen were beginning to be presented nationally as superstars rather than athletes.

This book is a historical record of how these two men of very different worlds: politics and sports, forged a friendship and a force for change which sadly came to an end following an an epic falling out.

This compelling and essential read not only casts to light new information about how his religion guided Ali, but also shows how uncompromising and relentless Malcolm X was in bringing about change.

For their efforts, Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith have captured a tumultuous time in our history and synthesized its relevance through these two personalities.