"Based on more than 500 interviews, including Muhammad Ali's closest associates, and enhanced by access to thousands of pages of newly released FBI records, this is a thrilling story of a man who became one of the great figures of the twentieth century."-- Provided by publisher.

Preface: Miami, 1964 -- Cassius Marcellus Clay -- The loudest child -- The bicycle -- "Every day was heaven" -- The prophet -- "I'm just young and don't give a damn" -- America's hero -- Dreamer -- "Twentieth-century exuberance" -- "It's show business" -- Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee -- The ugly bear -- "So what's wrong with the Muslims?" -- Becoming Muhammad Ali -- Choice -- "Girl, will you marry me?" -- Assassination -- Phantom punch -- True love -- A holy war -- No quarrel -- "What's my name?" -- "Against the furies" -- Exile -- Faith -- Martyr -- Song and dance and prayer -- The greatest book of all time -- Stand by me -- Comeback -- "The world is watching you" -- A different fighter -- The five-million-dollar match -- Ali v. Frazier -- Freedom -- Trickeration -- A fight to the finish -- Heart of darkness -- Fighter's heaven -- "Ali boma ye!" -- Rumble in the jungle -- Moving on up -- Impulses -- Ali-Frazier III -- Getting old -- "They may not let me quit" -- "Do you remember Muhammad Ali?" -- Staggered -- Crown Prince -- Old -- Humpty Dumpty -- The last hurrah -- Too many punches -- "He's human, like us" -- A torch -- The long, black Cadillac -- Postscript.