Muhammad Ali And Soul - The Scotsman

The Scotsman ran a lengthy feature on Stuart Cosgrove's upcoming book over the weekend.

Stuart Cosgrove on why soul music was pivotal in the life story of Muhammad Ali  By Aidan Smith

Off The Ball presenter chats about his fascinating biography, Cassius X: A Legend in the Making, and explains why he focused on 1963

In 1963 in a playground in Lasswade, Midlothian, a young schoolboy – me – is pondering the name Cassius Clay. Does it mean this man is actually made of clay, like Thing of the Fantastic Four seems to be in those Marvel Comics the older boys read, carefully assembled from little orange bricks? This is what I think.

The full article can be read here 

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/boxing/stuart-cosgrove-why-soul-music-was-pivotal-life-story-muhammad-ali-2943325

Book details

Cassius X: A Legend in the Making by Stuart Cosgrove is published by Polygon on 3 September. £17.99.

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.

Available in Kindle and hardback editions