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Messenger by Marc Bernardin

Messenger

The Legend of Muhammad Ali

Marc Bernardin

First Second · Print & ebook · August 15, 2023

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Muhammad Ali, one of the most revered—and controversial—figures of the twentieth century, immortalized those words with the beauty, strength, and originality of his boxing style.

Sports LivesGraphic BiographyActivist Biographiescivil rights
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graphicmemoircenturysports
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Who it’s for
Ali’s public life comes into view through bold imagery and moments where sport meets political conviction.
Themes
Muhammad Ali’s boxing career, Civil rights history, Opposition to the Vietnam War
Genres
Graphic Biography, Sports Lives, Activist Biographies

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About this book

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Muhammad Ali, one of the most revered—and controversial—figures of the twentieth century, immortalized those words with the beauty, strength, and originality of his boxing style. Now, his epic story is retold in this gorgeous, striking graphic novel Messenger that showcases exactly why he became celebrated worldwide as “The Greatest.” Muhammad Ali was one of the most photographed—and photogenic—figures in the history of sports.

Continue reading

He demanded to be looked at, to be seen, and this epic captures his meteoric rise from Cassius Clay to Olympian and heavyweight champion of the world with stunning illustrations befitting his storied legacy. Bringing readers through major moments of his life—his first meeting with civil rights leader Malcolm X, his interview with sports broadcaster Howard Cosell about his reasons for opposing the Vietnam War, and his titanic bout with then-undefeated heavyweight champion George Foreman, among others—this graphic biography will be a crucial and instantly popular resource on The Greatest.

A Life in Panels

Ali’s public life comes into view through bold imagery and moments where sport meets political conviction.

Come here for

  • The visual force of a graphic biography
  • A champion whose fame reached beyond the ring

Expect

  • Major moments spanning Ali’s rise to heavyweight champion
  • Sport, civil rights, and his opposition to the Vietnam War

Where it sits

Graphic Biography90%
Sports Lives63%
Activist Biographies32%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Sports Lives
  • Graphic Biography
  • African American U.S. History for Teens
Authors
Marc Bernardin
Publisher
First Second
Published
August 15, 2023
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Muhammad Ali’s boxing career · Civil rights history · Opposition to the Vietnam War
Reading lane
Sports Lives