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Summary: A Telling Tale : The Life and Times of Malcom X
Review: Bruce Perry's Malcom gives an in depth analysis of one of the most controversial public figures in modern American history. Perry describes Malcom's troubled childhood in the Midwest, from his bouts with his father infidelities and his unexpected death -ruled accidental, but not certain-- to his, light skinned, mentally ill mother who was not afraid to keep her son in line by any means necessary. Living within a dysfunctional family and having no friends, Malcom finds himself wanting to leave his lonely and slow-pace lifestyle for the exciting East Coast. Moving in with his half-sister in Boston, Malcom becomes involved in criminal activities, from petty dope slinging and "runnin' numbers", to sleeping with white women and committing burglaries. Eventually he finds himself behind bars and from there Malcom X emerges. Known as Red, Malcom becomes acquainted with an inmate, a devoted follower of the Nation of Islam, who teaches Malcom that their is an alternative for black men other than a life of crime. Malcom X is introduced to classic literature, poetry, and Islam. The religion has a powerful effect on Malcom, who embraces its ways and ultimately becomes a follower. When he is released, Malcom X quickly works his way through the ranks to head minister of the most populated and successful Black Mosque in America. According to Perry, Malcom was not only a devoted minister to his mosque, but to several others as well. His superior, the honorable Elijah Muhammad, was initially impressed with the articulate, young orator. In time Malcom X rises in the movement. He grabs all of the headlines and from the media's point of view, becomes the spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Eventually, Malcom breaks from the group and starts his own, which never gets off the ground. He was shot dead during a speech in Harlem, New York in 1965. Malcom X, though poorly educated and a product of a mentally and physically abused household, nevertheless took center stage and improved the quality of life for Black America. Bruce Perry gives the reader a personal account of one of America's enigmatic and flamboyant intellectuals of the twentieth century.
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Summary: A deeper look
Review: I liked this book beacuse it was the meat and bones of a Malcolm X we all new exsisted. I read the autobiography by Alex Haley and liked it as well, although the books have conflicting veiws. Perry provides a more whole Malcolm one from his childhood to his death, one that was a civil rights leader as well as a husband and a father. Perry sometimes although added more to the wrong veiw points of Malcolm's life then needed, I think Perry focused to much on a rebutal to the autobigraphy then a unbias look of Malcolm. Although I did not agree with all of Perry's veiw of Malcolm, overall he captured the spirit of the true and great Malcolm X. It is a must read for those who want a complete and understandable Malcolm X.
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Summary: Too many unsubstatiated statements
Review: I was not too fond of this book, not because I'm a Malcolm fan, but there are too many conclusions that Perry makes with weak evidence. Such as Malcolm's father (and Malcolm himself) setting their houses on fire, Malcolm's alleged homosexual activity, Malcolm asking the Klan why they allowed Dr. King to live, etc. etc. One could see why Dr. Betty Shabazz (Malcolm's wife)told Perry to get lost!
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Summary: Questionable
Review: This book is good if only for the insight into Malcolm's childhood. Other than that, it makes too many cynical conclusions based on whatever it is the author was trying to get across-- which by the end, is still unclear. Reading the introduction one would assume that this book was poised to breathe new insight on Malcolm the political figure and man. However, what you end up getting is more of a repetitious editorial piece. The author almost insults the intelligence of the reader by constantly rehashing the possible reasoning for Malcolm's every move. At one point, he suggests that Attallah was favored by Malcolm because of her light skin (like his) the way his dark-skinned father had once favored him. Perry also volunteers the very real and most likely possibility that Malcolm took this particular daughter to different events because she was the oldest of the girls. This is just one example of how he insists on giving the reader something to ponder on Malcolm's sincerity as a Black leader, tangible or not. There are parts of this book that indeed ring true with me for what I have interperted Malcolm to be, but these instances are too few and far between. I was in no way expecting an idealized picture to be painted here, only this book offers no real balance. Beyond this wounded Malcolm he avidly portrays, what else was there? Also for the attention he gave to alleged homosexual activity, arson, etc. he mentioned Betty Shabazz sparsely as if she held no importance in Malcolm's life. I found that fact very telling. After supposedly over 400+ interviews, Perry could only gather enough to give the mother of Malcolm's six children passing mentions. I actually got more of a rounded glimpse of Malcolm the man in the biography of Betty Shabazz by Russell J. Rickford. I advise those who are thinking of reading this book first to check out the autobiography w/ Alex Haley instead, then tackle this one if you wish. Even for all its omissions and probable half truths, you'll come away from that book actually understanding something. After reading Mr. Perry's biography, you get the urge to so say, "So?! What was your point?"
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Summary: Approach With Caution
Review: You have to question what Perry wanted to achieve from this book. He seems to have missed, or overlooked, all of the important issues that Malcolm X stood for. He takes the word of Malcolm's detractors as the gospel truth and diminishes Malcolm's teachings and beliefs by portraying them as paranoid. Perry seems obsessed with highlighting flaws in Malcolm's personality and uses this device to side step the vital lessons which Malcolm was trying to teach - lesson's which still need to be learnt today. By all means read this book, but do so very objectively.
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