Blood Brothers

Randy Roberts

In 1962 boxing writers and fans considered Cassius Clay an obnoxious self-promoter and few believed that he would become the heavyweight champion of the world. But Malcolm X the most famous minister in the Nation of Islam saw the potential in Clay not just for boxing greatness but as a means of spreading the Nation's message. The two became fast friends keeping their interactions secret from the press for fear of jeopardizing Clay's career. Clay began living a double life-a patriotic "good negro" in public and a radical reformer behind the scenes. Soon however their friendship would sour with disastrous and far-reaching consequences.

Based on previously untapped sources from Malcolm's personal papers to FBI records Blood Brothers is the first book to offer an in-depth portrait of this complex bond. An extraordinary narrative of love and deep affection as well as deceit betrayal and violence this story is a window into the public and private lives of two of our greatest national icons and the tumultuous period in American history that they helped to shape.