Sting Like a Bee: Muhammad Ali vs. the United States of America, 1966–1971

Who was heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali's toughest opponent? Was it Joe Frazier, Sonny Liston, George Foreman, or Ken Norton? The foe who took Ali's title, forced him into a premature retirement, and tried to imprison him was the U.S. government which, during the volatile days of the Vietnam War, successfully prosecuted Ali for draft evasion. Montville, former senior editor at Sports Illustrated, details Ali's battle, which began in 1966 and ended with a unanimous 1971 decision by the Supreme Court in the ex-champ's favor. This story follows Ali's life in exile on the college lecture circuit, reminding us of nearly forgotten events such as Ali's suspension from the Nation of Islam, computer-generated "greatest of all time" battle with undefeated former champ Rocky Marciano, and short-lived career on Broadway.