Books in American Rebels series

"I refuse to be inducted into the armed forces…" That simple statement, made on April 28, 1967, changed Muhammad Ali from being simply the heavyweight boxing champion of the world to being a rebel, taking on the mighty United States government. His protest against serving in the Vietnam War had political, racial, and religious undertones, and it led to nationwide discussion of all of these issues. Ali's passion to speak his mind and stand up for his beliefs stood as a hallmark throughout a boxing career that spanned more than twenty years. Decades after his boxing career ended, he continued to tour the world promoting peace and spreading goodwill even as his own health deteriorated. Over the years, he truly earned the nickname he first bestowed upon himself way back in 1964 when he first won the heavyweight crown: "The Greatest."

When country music legend Johnny Cash took the stage at Folsom State Prison in 1968, he solidified the public's perception of him as a rebel who followed his own path. Born in Arkansas during the Great Depression, Cash endured poverty, the death of his older brother, and a difficult relationship with his father. He turned to gospel and country music to express the pain, and after many years of struggling, his songs of hardship and hope would finally reach the ears of those waiting for an artist who represented them, ordinary people fighting to survive.

“Elvis has left the building.” A record television audience of some 60 million people watched Elvis Presley on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW the night of September 9, 1956. With his ground-breaking television performances and many number-one hits, that year saw the Elvis phenomenon grow to massive proportions. Girls went into hysterics over him and boys emulated his style. Adults feared the effect rock and roll, and Elvis in particular, had on their teenagers. Elvis became the world's biggest pop icon and changed the face of American pop culture. He became the King of Rock and Roll. Over the years, Elvis' career evolved from rock-and-roll rebel to movie star to ballad crooner to Las Vegas performer, experiencing several downfalls and comebacks along the way. Even after his death in 1977, his music, movies, and life continue to fascinate the public.

Four-year-old Malcolm Little watched his home burn down November 7, 1929. He and his family escaped, but the incident would haunt Malcolm for the rest of his life. It was but one of the many injustices Malcolm and his family, and other African Americans, suffered in the United States where segregation and discrimination were law. Life’s lessons turned Malcolm Little into a controversial, defiant, and rebellious man named Malcolm X. He became the best known spokesperson for the Nation of Islam and one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights movement. His outspoken nature gained him many followers and just as many enemies. Malcolm X’s life came to a violent end in 1965, but his fight for justice and equality will forever be remembered.

“Paintings are too hard. Machines have less problems…” In the 1960s, Andy Warhol became the most famous creator of a new style of art called pop art, which transformed mass-produced items of popular culture into fine works of art. From Campbell's Soup cans to photographs of Marilyn Monroe, Warhol's willingness to use anything and everything from the mass media in his work expanded the range of subject matter available to artists. His avant-garde films, artistic usage of American icons, and unconventional social life made him a controversial figure, both greatly admired and deeply reviled. A trendsetter rather than a trend-follower, a dispassionate observer of both the seamy and celebrity sides of life, Warhol was a true American rebel.

From his days in England as a founding member of the Beatles to his time as a solo musician, peace activist, and stay-at-home dad in his adopted hometown of New York City, John Lennon made a mark on popular culture that is without parallel. Author Jeff Burlingame explores the life of this rebellious and gifted musician, whose music and life story still resonate and remain popular with both young and old some three decades after his untimely death in 1980.

Kurt Cobain loved music, and it did not take long for him to realize all he wanted to do in life was play and write songs. When he and his band, Nirvana, became part of the Seattle music scene, more and more people were able to listen to and appreciate his music. Ultimately, dissatisfaction with fame and a dependence on heroin resulted in his suicide. Author Jeff Burlingame, who personally knew Cobain, explores the rock legend's too-brief life, his revolutionary music, and the enduring legacy he left behind.