One of the signal contributions of Blood Brothers — a rigorously researched book that gracefully pivots between the world of the ring and the racial politics of the early ’60s — is its excavation of Cassius Clay Sr.’s impact in shaping his son’s views on race, and thereby enhancing the appeal of the Nation of Islam.
“Blood Brothers is a unique hybrid of race, politics, and sports; it is easy to read yet gives rise to sober reflection. It fills a gap in our understanding of one of the most fascinating relationships in American history.
“Blood Brothers tells the story of these two galvanizing and hypnotic personalities and of the America that produced them. Although the book promises more than it delivers, it is earnest and, by focusing mostly on the years between 1962 and 1965, smartly constructed.
