# Davis Miller

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**Davis Miller** is an American author, notable for a series of works that combine reportage, memoir and elements of fictional style. Miller's books include *[The Tao of Muhammad Ali](/source/The_Tao_of_Muhammad_Ali)* and *The Tao of Bruce Lee: a martial arts memoir*,[1][2] as well as *The Zen of Muhammad Ali: and other obsessions*, a collection of personal essays, memoir and short fiction that was published exclusively in the U.K. His most recent book is *Approaching Ali: A Reclamation in Three Acts*.[3]

## Career

[Muhammad Ali](/source/Muhammad_Ali) was a childhood influence on Miller, and he was in college when first met Ali in 1975. He had a chance to spar with Ali at his training camp in [Deer Lake](/source/Deer_Lake,_Pennsylvania), and he wrote of his experience in an article which was published in *[Sports Illustrated](/source/Sports_Illustrated)* in 1981.[4][5] Years later in 1988 when he was working in [Louisville, Kentucky](/source/Louisville,_Kentucky), he met Ali again at Ali's mother's house, he was invited for dinner with Ali and they became friends.[6] He wrote a long article on their encounter titled "My Dinner with Ali", which was first published by *Louisville Courier-Journal Magazine* and then in a number of publications including *[Sport](/source/Sport_(American_magazine))* and *[Esquire](/source/Esquire_(magazine))* magazines in 1989.[7][8] This article won a number of awards, and was judged the best essay published in a U.S. newspaper magazine in 1989 by Sunday Magazine Editors Association.[9][10]

Miller became the sportswriter on boxing for *[Sport](/source/Sport_(American_magazine))* magazine in 1989.[9]

### *The Tao of Muhammad Ali*

Main article: [The Tao of Muhammad Ali](/source/The_Tao_of_Muhammad_Ali)

Miller's first book, *The Tao of Muhammad Ali: a fathers and sons memoir*, was published in [hardcover](/source/Hardcover) in December 1996 by Warner Books and in trade paperback in January 1997 by Vintage U.K.[11] The book has been an international bestseller, reaching number one in the UK,[12] Australia and Japan, where it was published by Aoyama Publishing.

Miller wrote a radio play of *The Tao of Muhammad Ali*, which was broadcast in six parts in January 1998 by [BBC Radio 4](/source/BBC_Radio_4).[citation needed]

*The Tao of Muhammad Ali* was produced as an eight-episode immersive podcast series by Ron Howard and [Brian Grazer](/source/Brian_Grazer)'s [Imagine Entertainment](/source/Imagine_Entertainment) & Television. The series, which is also titled *The Tao of Muhammad Ali* premiered on iHeartMedia in 2024.[13]

### *Approaching Ali* the chamber opera

Main article: [Approaching Ali](/source/Approaching_Ali)

An opera was developed from "The Tao of Muhammad Ali" and "My Dinner with Ali" for the Washington National Opera by composer [D. J. Sparr](/source/D._J._Sparr). Along with Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Mark Campbell, Davis Miller wrote the libretto for the opera, which received its world premiere in June 2013 at the [John F. Kennedy](/source/John_F._Kennedy) Center for the Performing Arts.[14] The opera has since received productions in various U.S. cities, including Raleigh,[15] Las Vegas, Baton Rouge and Asheville.[16] The title of the opera is *[Approaching Ali](/source/Approaching_Ali)*.[17]

A book, titled *Approaching Ali: A Reclamation in Three Acts*, was also published in 2015.[18][19]

## Personal life

Miller has four children.[citation needed]

## Bibliography

The following is a partial list of publications by Davis Miller:[citation needed]

### Books

*Approaching Ali: A Reclamation in Three Acts*: W. W. Norton/Liveright, March 2016; Errata Naturae (Spain), September 2016.

*The Zen of Muhammad Ali: and other obsessions*: Vintage UK, January 2003.

*The Tao of Bruce Lee: a martial arts memoir*: Vintage UK, January 2000; Crown Publishing, August 2000.

*The Tao of Muhammad Ali: a fathers and sons memoir*: Warner Books, November 1996; Vintage, UK, February 1997; Aoyama Publishing (Japan), August 1998; Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press, September 1999.

### Anthologized Stories

My Dinner with Ali: *The Muhammad Ali Reader* (Ecco Press, 1998); *The Best American Sports Writing of the Century* (Houghton Mifflin, 1999),[8] *The Beholder's Eye: America's Finest Personal Journalism* (Grove/Atlantic, 2005).

The Zen of Muhammad Ali: *The Best American Sports Writing, 1994* (Houghton Mifflin, 1994); *GOAT: The Greatest of All Time, A Tribute to Muhammad Ali* (Taschen, 2004).

### Literary Nonfiction for Magazines, Newspapers, Radio and Online Publication

*Five Last Rounds in Louisville*: *Approaching Ali*, (Liveright/W. W. Norton, 2015); *SBNation*, October 2015.

*Zen Cowboys*: National Public Radio's *All Things Considered*, April 2007; *Austin* (Texas) *American Statesman*, October 8, 1999; *Triad Style*, October 5, 1999; *Louisville Courier-Journal Saturday Magazine*, October 2, 1999; *Attache* magazine, August 1998.

*Dancing with Ali*: *Melbourne* (Australia) *Age*, February 4, 2007; *Los Angeles Times, Detroit News* and National Public Radio's *All Things Considered*, January 17, 2007; *Louisville Courier-Journal*, (Oklahoma City) ''*Oklahoman* and *Winston-Salem Journal*, January 14, 2007.

*The Best Father: Melbourne* (Australia) *Age, Raleigh News and Observer* and (Oklahoma City) *Oklahoman*, June 17, 2007; *San Antonio Express-News*, June 18, 2006; *Western Mail Saturday Magazine* (Cardiff, Wales), June 17, 2006; *Washington Post* and *Boston Globe Magazine*, June 2003; *Richmond Times-Dispatch* and *Winston-Salem Journal*, June 2002; *Candis* magazine, May 1998.

*My Dinner with Ali: Deadspin*, June 2013; *The Beholder's Eye: America's Finest Personal Journalism* (Grove/Atlantic, 2005); *The Best American Sports Writing of the Century* (Houghton Mifflin, 1999); *The Muhammad Ali Reader* (Ecco Press,1998); *Winston-Salem Journal* and *Detroit Free Press Magazine*, June 1990; *Sport* magazine, May 1989; *Louisville Courier-Journal Sunday Magazine*, January 8, 1989.

*The Zen of Muhammad Ali: GOAT: The Greatest of All Time, A Tribute to Muhammad Ali* (Taschen, 2004); *The Best American Sports Writing 1994* (Houghton Mifflin); *Penthouse* (South Africa), July 1994; *Playboy* (Japan and Germany), March 1994; cover story in 1994 and late 1993 for newspaper magazines published by the *Miami Herald, Chicago Tribune, Louisville Courier-Journal, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Independent on Sunday, Melbourne* (Australia) *Age, Detroit Free Press, Dallas Morning News, Buffalo News*, (New York) *Newsday*, and *Denver Post*; and as a cover piece for features sections of numerous newspapers, including the *Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, Seattle Times, Winston-Salem Journal, Toledo Blade, South Ireland Independent, Sydney* (Australia) *Morning Herald, Grand Rapids Press, Indianapolis Star*, and *Folha de S.Paulo* (Brazil); *Esquire*, September 1992.

*Bruce Lee, American: Honolulu Advertiser*, August 7, 2003; AMCTV.com, July 2002; *Richmond Times Dispatch,* June 30, 2002; *Hotdog* magazine, April 2001; (London) *Independent on Sunday Review*, December 5, 1999; *Winston-Salem Journal*, November 17, 1998; *Arena*, October 1998; *M Quarterly* (Japan), October 1997; *Panorama* (Australia), July 1997; *Men's Journal*, February 1997; *Esquire*, September 1993.

*Wanting to Whup Sugar Ray*: a notable sports story, *The Best American Sports Writing, 1992* (Houghton Mifflin, 1992); *Sport* magazine, March 1991; *Washington Post Magazine*, February 2, 1991.[20]

*Rapture*: *Sport* magazine, July 1989.

## References

1. Kawakami, Tim (December 4, 1996). ["'The Tao of Muhammad Ali'"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-04-sp-5672-story.html). *The Los Angeles Times*

1. Miller, Davis (December 5, 1999). ["Tales of the Dragon"](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tales-of-the-dragon-1130384.html). *The Independent*

1. Neal, Dale (November 27, 2015). ["Asheville man writes of relationship with Ali"](https://eu.citizen-times.com/story/life/2015/11/27/asheville-man-writes-relationship-ali/75936856/). *The Citizen Times*

1. McGhee, Ali. ["Muhammad Ali Biographer Davis Miller To Speak at Malaprop's"](https://ashevillegrit.com/muhammad-ali-biographer-davis-miller-speak-malaprop%E2%80%99s). *Asheville Grit*

1. Littlefield, Bill (December 12, 2015). ["Approaching Ali' Offers Unmatched Personal Account Of Boxer's Life Beyond The Ring"](https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2015/12/12/approaching-ali-davis-miller). *WBUR*

1. Miller, Davis (August 5, 2015). ["From the archives:: Jumping into the ring, and into life, with Muhammad Ali"](https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-ali-davis-miller-20070117-story.html). *The Los Angeles Times*

1. Benton, Hayley (October 7, 2016). ["Local author's 'Approaching Ali' hits Asheville stage"](https://www.citizen-times.com/story/entertainment/events/2016/10/07/local-authors-approaching-ali-hits-asheville-stage/91283404/). *Ashville Citizen Times*

1. Miller, Davis (June 7, 2013). ["My Dinner With Ali"](https://deadspin.com/my-dinner-with-ali-511528500/). *Deadspin*

1. Velin, Bob (June 6, 2013). ["Opera based on lives of Ali, writer who idolized him"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2013/06/06/opera-davis-miller-muhammad-ali-washington-dc/2398915/). *USA Today*

1. ["From the archives:: Muhammad Ali: Still nifty at 50"](https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-ali-davis-miller2-19920117-story.html)

1. Miller, Davis (January 25, 1997). ["A Magnificent Obsession"](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/a-magnificent-obsession-1285168.html). *The Independent*

1. ["This Week's Top 10 Sports Books"](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/this-week-s-top-10-sports-books-5582484.html). *The Independent*. February 3, 1997.

1. Earl, William (June 12, 2023). ["Isaac Mizrahi Interview Show, Ron Howard Comedy and True Crime From 1980s L.A. Punk Scene Lead Imagine Audio’s Podcast Slate for iHeartMedia"](https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/isaac-mizrahi-penelope-spheeris-chris-turney-podcast-imagine-1235640363/). *Variety*

1. Midgette, Anne (June 7, 2013). ["'Approaching Ali,' the second stage of WNO’s effort to foster new American opera"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/approaching-ali-the-second-stage-of-wnos-effort-to-foster-new-american-opera/2013/06/06/f2f4b8ee-cdcd-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html). *Thee Washington Post*

1. Dicks, Roy C. (January 24, 2015). ["Soloman Howard talks about portraying Muhammad Ali for NC Opera"](https://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article10230746.html). *The News Observer*

1. Burkhardt, Timothy (October 12, 2016). ["Asheville Lyric Opera stages Muhammad Ali production"](https://mountainx.com/arts/asheville-lyric-opera-performs-muhammad-ali-opera/). *Mountain Xpress*

1. Schweitzer, Vivien (June 10, 2013). ["New Ring For Legend Of Boxing: Opera Stage"](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/arts/music/approaching-ali-by-d-j-sparr-at-kennedy-center.html). *The New York Times*

1. ["An Unlikely Friendship Sheds Light On Muhammad Ali's Life After Boxing"](https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2016/06/08/muhammad-ali-friendship). *WBUR*. June 8, 2016.

1. ["Ali 'The Greatest' subject, author says Davis Miller"](https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/11/11/greatest-subject/75620754/). *Detroit News*. 11 November 2015.

1. Miller, Davis (February 2, 1991). ["The Man Who Wanted to Fight Sugar Ray"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/1991/02/03/the-man-who-wanted-to-fight-sugar-ray/d7b7c636-d844-4a8b-b43b-64e9dc6e6d15/). *Washington Post*

- [5 things you never knew about Muhammad Ali](https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/28/sport/muhammad-ali-five-things-boxing)
- [Muhammad Ali remembered by Davis Miller](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/dec/11/muhammad-ali-remembered-by-davis-miller-obituary)
- [Davis Miller on Muhammad Ali: 'He could beautifully take the piss out of you when he wanted to'](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/davis-miller-muhammad-ali-could-beautifully-take-piss-wanted/)
- [MOVIES : The Next Action Hero? : Kathy Long is a champion kickboxer whose movie moves remind some of Norris and Van Damme](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-23-ca-7206-story.html)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Davis Miller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_Miller) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_Miller?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.