Thursday, August 24, 2017

Burgan, Michael. Ali’s Knockdown Punch: How A Photographer Captured a Political Protest.

Burgan, Michael.  Ali’s Knockdown Punch: How A Photographer Captured a Political Protest. Capstone Publishers  2017     64p. $34.65  ISBN 978-0-7565-5527-6 ms/hs  nonfiction series: Captured Sports History (Capstone)  Nonfiction  E-BN

This biography of Muhammad Ali features a strong emphasis on photojournalism and is one of the few books for youth that put the life of Muhammad Ali in the context of the larger Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.  The importance of his beliefs, his rise to boxing fame, and iconic images of his victories are concisely presented in a way that is appropriate for readers of all ages. The book also provides details on the photojournalists who documented his life and how they came to be in a position to do so.     

The Capstone series Captured Sports History includes eight titles that discuss unique moments in sports, with biographical information on athletes and photojournalists in the context of the times. Excellent photos and concise writing will appeal to readers of all ages. Grades 4+. 

Summary: This is a biography of Muhammad Ali placed in the context of the 1960s civil rights movement. The photojournalist who captured the images of his boxing career is featured as well. Grades 4-12.     


Muhammad Ali, Boxing, Photojournalism                             --Lois McNicol

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