Sound and Fury by Dave Kindred Summary

Sound and Fury explores the improbable friendship between Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell, two iconic figures who reshaped sports and media in the 20th century. The book delves into their symbiotic relationship, from Ali’s controversial conversion to Islam and draft refusal (publicly defended by Cosell) to their shared cultural impact. Kindred combines intimate anecdotes, interviews, and fresh reporting to humanize both men beyond their public personas.

This book is ideal for sports enthusiasts, media historians, and readers interested in biographies of complex figures. It appeals to those intrigued by intersections of race, fame, and journalism, offering insights into how Ali and Cosell navigated societal upheaval while forging a partnership that transcended their professions.

Yes—critics praise Kindred’s nuanced portrayal of Ali and Cosell, blending rigorous research with novelistic storytelling. The book avoids mythologizing either figure, instead revealing their vulnerabilities and mutual dependence. It’s particularly valuable for understanding how their alliance influenced public perceptions of athletes and broadcasters.

Their bond formed in 1962 when Cosell interviewed a young Cassius Clay (later Ali). Mutual respect grew as Cosell defended Ali’s Muslim conversion and draft resistance, while Ali leveraged Cosell’s platform to amplify his persona. Their dynamic blended humor, trust, and calculated showmanship.

The book examines race, media manipulation, and the cost of fame. It highlights Ali’s charisma and principles against Cosell’s ambition and insecurities, while critiquing how both men weaponized stereotypes—Ali as the “Beast” and Cosell as the “clown”—to challenge societal norms.

A standout scene involves Cosell banging on Ali’s hotel door, shouting racial slurs to provoke a laughing Ali into letting him in. This encapsulates their edgy rapport—Cosell’s calculated abrasiveness contrasting with Ali’s playful defiance.

Kindred paints Cosell as a flawed visionary: a journalist who championed civil rights but craved celebrity. The book details his decline after a failed TV show, revealing how his insecurity clashed with his desire for Cronkite-level respect in news media.

Unlike solo biographies, it frames Ali and Cosell as co-dependent forces. Kindred’s personal access (he traveled with Ali and collaborated with Cosell) enriches the narrative with private moments, such as Cosell’s advice to Ali during legal battles.

It unflinchingly details Ali’s physical decline and financial struggles, contrasting his later vulnerability with his earlier bravado. Kindred shows how Cosell remained a loyal, if occasional, supporter even as Ali’s health deteriorated.

Some readers may want deeper analysis of Ali’s boxing career or Cosell’s non-sports work. The book prioritizes their relationship over individual legacies, which could leave those seeking comprehensive biographies wanting.

Ali and Cosell’s partnership mirrored societal changes: Ali’s activism dovetailed with the Civil Rights Movement, while Cosell’s theatrical reporting style revolutionized sports journalism, blending entertainment with hard news.

The book underscores the power of unlikely alliances in driving social change. It also warns of fame’s pitfalls, showing how both men struggled with identity and relevance despite their outsized influence.