An Introduction to Howard Bingham's book, "Muhammad Ali - A Thirty-Year Journey"
by Gordon Parks

'In those loose, rambling hours between hostilities, Muhammad Ali was constantly in search of someone he could open his soul to. Crowds were welcome. He loved crowds, but even more he loved to plant himself dead center in a bunch of school kids, sound off, then warm to their glee and adoration. Yet there were also times when despair crept in and refused to leave him, when suddenly there was just loneliness. During those rare moments he had a need to attach himself to someone he felt close to, someone who would leave him with his silence. No one in his entourage was more suitable for that than Howard Bingham. Even before Ali destroyed Sonny Liston, Howard had begun moving easily with him through the silk bazaars and markets of misery-then later through the loves, the marriages, and the divorces. He never asked indiscreet questions or allowed his camera to become annoyingly intrusive. This summoned restraint, since Ali's every move invited intrusion. The loyalty remained as time shaped their unrivaled friendship-one that never faltered even when Ali was being eaten up by distress.

"There is, and always will be, a strong spiritual bond between the two men. Howard suffered the blows Ali took more than Ali did. Today he suffers equally when Ali ignores the medication his doctors prescribe for him. 'Ali's stubborn, hardheaded-but full of love for everybody,' he laments. Having known Howard Bingham during my years as a photographer at Life magazine, I have good reason for understanding Ali's appreciation for their comradeship. I have deep respect for Howard as an artist and a staunch friend.

"Howard's words and photographs recall so many things about Muhammad Ali-things of different sizes falling restlessly upon my memory. Only a rare few have as many selves as Muhammad Ali. To know and really understand him one has to sink deep into the geography of his soul. Howard has done that while observing him with the sensitivity of a blind man. The dedication page of Ali's memoir by Thomas Hauser holds these words: "For Howard Bingham, there's no one like him." From Howard's lips came these words: "I couldn't wish for a better friend than Ali." Bunched together, these acknowledgments seem unbreakable-as hard as stone. Ali and Howard love one another. It is safe to say that, regardless of what lies beyond them, that will never change."