Muhammad Ali was born as Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky. Early in his life, his skills developed from those he needed to stand up to a playground bully into the championship form that earned him a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics. As a professional fighter, Ali became known not just for the speed and agility with which he won three world heavyweight championships, but also for his charm, wit, and showmanship. Outside the ring, the courage of his stand against the military draft made him both a revered cultural hero and a lightning rod for the issues that divided Americans during the Vietnam War. In the decades following his boxing career, Ali has become regarded as one of the most recognized people on the planet. He has lent his name, influence, and generosity to a host of humanitarian causes. Today, having earned the affection of billions of people worldwide, the peoples champ is, as ever, The Greatest.
At a time when much of the United States was still racially segregated, Jackie Robinson smashed the color barrier to become the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. Born in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers, Robinson excelled in sports throughout his school years. After serving briefly in the army during WWII, he briefly played ball in the Negro Leagues. At about the same time, a handful of all-white Major League teams paid lip service to trying out black players. But it was when Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 that he became a part of what would be called "The Noble Experiment." Outspoken in the past when it came to racial injustice, Robinson endured racist jeers from fans and players, and even death threats, with dignity and composure. His historic feat of crossing baseball's "color line" became a symbol in the American civil rights movement in the decades that followed.
Whether you like speeding down snowy slopes or doing jumps and other tricks, snowboarding may be the sport for you. Look inside to find out more about this fast-growing sport and how it can help you stay healthy for life.
Whether you skateboard for transportation or like to hit the ramps at the local skateboard park, skateboarding is fun and can help you keep fit. Read this book to find out more about skateboarding and how it can help you stay healthy for life.
You don't need a lot of expensive equipment to start running. With a good pair of shoes and a desire to challenge yourself physically, you can start running for fun and fitness. Look inside to learn more about how to start running and stay healthy for life.
Mountaineer George Mallory disappeared attempting to conquer the highest peak in the world. Seventy-five years later, Mallory's body was finally found on Everest. This exciting book describes how his quest began an obsession by other climbers to be the first to the top, and how Everest has become a magnet for amateurs and tourists since it was finally conquered by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
This fact-filled title profiles the celebrated heroes and unfortunate zeroes throughout Olympic history. Readers will learn about great athletic achievements and tales of scandal and dishonor.
It may be hard to believe in a world full of automobiles, but bicycles are still a favorite means of transportation for many people around the world. This book introduces readers to the history of bicycles and the economics of manufacturing them.
Which athletic shoe is right for you? Readers will learn about the materials that go into athletic shoes and how athletic shoes are produced and sold to millions of people all around the world.
Tiger Woods persistence, winning attitude, and passion for golf have helped make him one of the top golfers of all time. Readers will learn how Tiger uses his fame and fortune to help young people reach their full potential.
Roberto Clemente was the first Hispanic American elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Readers will learn how he used his courage and determination during the off-season to help those living in poverty in Latin America.
Rock climbing can be the fun and exhilarating, and the best part is that it is an activity that also helps you stay healthy and fit. Students will learn more about how they can start climbing, the importance of good equipment, and the health benefits of rock climbing.
Skiing down a snowy slope is fun and exciting. Readers will find out what they need to get started on an outdoor sport that can get them outdoors and help keep them fit for life.
Mountain biking can be a fun and intense activity that pushes you to the limits. Readers will learn about how they can start their own mountain biking program and begin a lifetime of fitness.
Skateboards are not just popular in America, they are popular in England, China, and Japan as well. This book will help readers understand how raw materials are made into skateboards in factories from California to China.
Whether it's a leisurely stroll through a national park or forest preserve, hiking can be a great activity for connecting with nature and keeping yourself healthy. Students will read and discover more about the proper equipment for hiking, as well as the health benefits of hiking.
Introduces readers to the cool career of athletic training by giving a better understanding of this cool job.
Introduces readers to the cool career of sports medicine doctor by giving a better understanding of this cool job.
In the complex world of the 21st century, the ability to use innovation to solve problems or make products better is a critical skill for kids to possess. This book uses a sport kid's love, swimming, to highlight how innovation has been used to make the sport and the people who compete in it, better.
In the complex world of the 21st century, the ability to use innovation to solve problems or make products better is a critical skill for kids to possess. This book uses a sport kid's love, skateboarding, to highlight how innovation has been used to make the sport and the people who play it, better.
In the complex world of the 21st century, the ability to use innovation to solve problems or make products better is a critical skill for kids to possess. This book uses a sport kid's love, snowboarding, to highlight how innovation has been used to make the sport and the people who play it, better.
In the complex world of the 21st century, the ability to use innovation to solve problems or make products better is a critical skill for kids to possess. This book uses a sport kid's love, golf, to highlight how innovation has been used to make the game and the people who play it, better.
