The Autobiography of Malcolm X

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Summary: An autobiography that will surprise many
Review: The Autobiography of Malcolm X is one of the most stunning, thought-provoking and enlightening autobiographies/biographies I have ever read. Malcom X's direct narrative style combines wonderfully with Alex Haley's literary acumen to create a book that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

Through Malcolm X's own eyes, the reader begins by following Malcolm through his childhood in segregated Nebraska and into his delinquent adolescence in New York City. While serving prison time for one of his many indiscretions, Malcolm joins the ranks of the Nation of Islam, a social and quasi-religious organization (founded by Elijah Muhammed) designed to empower African Americans. The reader follows Malcolm's meteoric rise within the Nation of Islam as he becomes one of the preeminent spokesmen for the African American experience. The remainder of the book follows Malcolm's remarkable transformation, as he becomes disillusioned with the Nation of Islam, converts to orthodox Islam, quells his fiery rhetoric in favor of productive dialogue and ultimately loses his life in the pursuit of civil rights.

This book is unforgettable. Rich details are interspersed throughout the autobiography and Malcolm is painfully candid about his past experiences (whether sordid or triumphant). Readers will be amazed by Malcolm's transformation and, in the process, will learn much about the Nation of Islam and about orthodox Islam as well.

The book is long but a quick read (Alex Haley's Epilogue is superb). Malcolm X is probably one of the most misunderstood men of the civil rights era--this book sets the record straight and presents Malcolm X as the intelligent, inspirational leader that he truly was.

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Summary: Thank God for Evolution and this book
Review: The Autobiography of Malcom X is a must read for all people interested in experiencing the human condition. Working in concert with the passionate objectivity of Alex Haley, Malcom X creates an articulate self portrait that breathes with anger, despair, hope, hunger and ultimately love. Malcom's story of self education and the heroic journey of evolution and transformation is a story for all people that transcends, race (I'm white), gender (I'm a male), class (I'm certainly rural middle class), and religion (I'm a protestant). It is about the power of language and the power of the supernatural (God, Allah, Jehovah, etc.) actively striking a lightening bolt into the temporal. Malcom holds nothing back and provides the reader with complete and total access to his soul, warts and all. It is most certainly not for the faint of heart or the thin of skin. This book galvanizes the reader to actively become a warrior against evil in all its forms. It forces a complete and total overhaul of personal bias, prejudice and values. It also allows the reader to see (hopefully) his/her own journey and need for spirtual electricity coupled with public action. Simply put, this is one of the great novels of the 20th (or for that matter, any) century.

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Summary: Everyone needs to read this book!!
Review: I've never read ANYTHING that better articulates the anger of the poor, the disenfranchised, and the outcast than this book!! The greatest aspect of Malcolm X's message is that it transcends race...his story reaches out to ALL people suffering political and economic repression. To me, the most inspirational aspect of this book is that Malcolm's life is proof that even the lowliest of the low can rise to greatness through discipline and channeling energies toward a higher cause!!

This book speaks to everyone, and Malcolm's message is universal!! Today, we need to hear it more than ever!!

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Summary: Fascinating
Review: This book is so many things. I read it many years ago, but listened to the audio version when I drove across the state. Malcolm was a brilliant man. His honest portrayal of his life is a morally uplifiting story, but it is also a fun read. This book will make you think. It is also one of the most entertaining stories I've ever read. I've read it twice and listened to it a third time. In a few years, another read will be time well spent.

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Summary: This was a great man...
Review: I am white, and this book was very hard for me to read at times. But I cannot continue to overlook the racial problems that continue to plague our country.

The media seems to tell us the our racial problems or largely resolved, but ask any person of color, and they will tell you that they are not.

There continues to be a "white ceiling" in our country. Whites continue to have a privilege that they are oblivious to, at the cost of Blacks and other members of minority races.

Yes, Malcom was at times bitter against all white people for the incredibly heinous oppression his people have suffered (and continue to suffer) at the hands of people of my race. But his voice must be heard. There is much truth in what he says. Until every white person is willing to face these truths and do something to stop the "silent" oppression of minorities, we are nourishing the seeds of anger and destruction in our communities and in our nation.

This book affected me deeply. I highly recommend it.

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Summary: Malcolm was a real Man
Review: This book is one I have read several times, and I always seem to come back with something new from it. Malcolm was pure passion and this book captures it. The reader may not always agree with his every word, but the degree of sincerity and dedication to the cause of racial equality can only be respected. The wonderful thing about this book is that we are able to see a soft, sweet, sometimes vunerable man underneath the hardened public persona. We watch life hand him each blow and see him strike back without apology, making changes in his beliefs and values. It is hard to imagine a leader like Malcolm in this day and age. A dedicated, relentless champion of the people not afraid to stare down opression, yet smart and confident enough to change his mind. No matter what your political stand, this book can add insight into the human condition. A book that will forever change my life.

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Summary: Spectacular genius
Review: Growing up in southern California, I was taught that Malcolm X was a separatist and an extremist whose opinions I should not value any more than I would the KKK's. After reading this book, however, I learned that this was COMPLETELY untrue. I honestly believe in everything that Malcolm X stood for in his years after leaving the Black Muslims. His insight he gained from traveling to Africa and the Middle East would have been so valuable to the United States and to the world, if only he had time to tell others. In my opinion, everyone should read this book. You gain a better understanding of why Malcolm X was ahead of his time and you learn, not from contemporary society, but from his own words, what he was really all about.

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Summary: A Must Read
Review: One of the greatest books you'll ever read about one of history's greatest men.

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Summary: Great book about a great man
Review: Biographies are fascinating works of literature. A good biography is a window into someone's life, as well as what they stood for and who they represented. Malcolm X's Autobiography is no exception. Flawlessly rendered by Alex Haley, it documents the truly amazing life of one of Black America's foremost freedom fighters.

Malcolm's intelligence and convictions are apparent through the whole book, from his retrospective look at his childhood years to the present. What is most fascinating about his life are the changes he went through. He started out at the bottom of society, the starving son of a rape-child and a preacher murdered by whites. He went through a brief period at a reform school, then moved to Boston and fell in love with city life. He lived a life of crime in the Harlem streets until he was caught one day, and thrown into prison. There, he studied like a college student and was converted to Islam by his family. He became the Nation of Islam's most devoted speaker, truly believing that the white race was devilish by nature. It was not until after his pilgrimage to Mecca that he realized the possibility of all races living together without conflict.

Malcolm X's brutal honesty, talent, and intelligence were complimented by his complete devotion to his cause and his religion. Malcolm was not afraid to reveal the disturbing truths about the hypocritical white "puppeteers" who control many black people, from the educated to those living in the ghetto. His humility and his true hope for American society remains powerful: "I know that societies often have killed the people who have helped to change those societies. And if I can die having brought any light, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help to destroy the racist cancer that is malignant in the body of America-then, all of the credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes have been mine." He has not died in vain. This book is an essential perspective into the Afro-American struggle for true liberty and justice, which continues through today.

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Summary: Malcom X very thought-provoking
Review: I had to read this book for English, but for once I actually enjoyed an assigned book! I don't necessarily agree with Mr. X, but his ideas and persuasive methods are fascinating. I think everyone should read this book to gain a new insight on racism and equality. You will never forget his words.