Muhammad Ali is one of the most remarkable personalities of our time and one of the greatest sportsmen ever to walk the earth. To honor this legend, TASCHEN Publishing created GOAT: The Greatest of All Time, the most comprehensive study of Ali to date. A limited-edition copy, signed by Muhammad Ali and owned by the Library’s African American Center on the 3rd Floor, is a fitting tribute to Muhammad Ali’s life.
View the book in this small display in the Atrium of the Main Library.
The book features written contributions from hundreds of writers and photographers, much of it published for the first time. As well as over 3,000 photographs, art and memorabilia of Ali’s life, the book includes Ali’s own insights, writings and drawings, totaling 600,000 words. XXL-format: 792 pages, including two gatefold sequences measuring 200 cm x 50 cm (80" x 20") and nine gold-metallic double-page spreads printed in silkscreen, open each chapter. Measuring 50 cm x 50 cm (20" x 20"), GOAT tips the scales at 34 kgs (75 lbs). Each copy comes in a silk-covered box illustrated with Neil Leifer's iconic 1966 photo, Ali vs Williams. Bound by the official bindery for the Vatican, in pink leather, the color of Ali's first Cadillac. The bindery, specializing in the most elaborate and oversized editions of the Bible and the Koran, enforces the strictest standards of quality control with only several hundred copies assembled per week.
After the exhibit ends, to view the book GOAT at the Main Library, visit the 3rd Floor Page Desk.
Banner image: Miami, Florida — circa 1961: Muhammad Ali (then still known as Cassius Clay) at the 5th Street Gym. Photo by Flip Schulke/Getty Images.
More Than a Month: Black Interest
Connect to engaging discussions and performances related to the Black community.
More Than a Month recognizes important events in Black history, honors community and national leaders and fosters steps towards collective change. Programming features authors, poets and craft classes.