In 1910, a poem appeared for the first time in the book Rewards and Fairies, a collection of Rudyard Kipling’s poetry and short-story fiction.
It was inspired by the politician Leander Starr Jameson and his failed attempt to overthrow the Boer government.
Since that time, the poem has swelled in reputation and stature. So much so, that when the U.K. was recently asked to vote for the nation’s favourite poem, If had twice as much votes as any other poem. Its reach far extends the shores of the U.K. though — If has been used constantly in film and television, along with inspiring song lyrics as well.
Muhammad Ali always kept a copy of it in his wallet and used it as his guide for his own incredible life.
This was no ordinary poem. This was a set of principles to live by.
In this reading by Sir Michael Caine, he reflects on what If means to him, and his reading only confirms why Kipling’s poem still has so much stirring power today.