The Autobiography of Malcolm X

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Summary: One of the best books I have ever read
Review: An amazing book. Everyone should read this book. I found it to be inspirational. The only frightening part about the book is that at times I felt I was reading about events happening today, not 30-40 years ago.

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Summary: one of the greatest autobiographies ever written
Review: Malcolm X was a marvel. At various times a thief, a jailbird, and preacher, he was the most exciting voice of the civil rights movement, even when he was in error.

In the _Autobiography_, Malcolm comes across as a deeply intelligent man who, despite his forceful opinions and wonderful charisma, was capable of change. This book is incredible, and it should be read by anyone with an interest in American history and letters.

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Summary: In Defense of an "X"ceptional Man
Review: Dyron Proctor, an eighteenth century philosopher, concluded that, "A man's actions are only reflections of experiences from his past" Malcolm X, an illustrious iconoclast of civil rights, spoke to black people of unifying and uplifting their position in society by resisting the violence and aggression of white America. Malcolm's alleged "racist" beliefs and "hateful" views on white people can only be examined when one has seen the life Malcolm has lived in its entirety. The role white people have played from the beginning of Malcolm's life and Malcolm's reactionary techniques to unify America's black community, are key to understanding the actions and beliefs of an exceptional man named Malcolm X.

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Summary: Most Impactful Book I've Read In a Long Time
Review: When I was first told by my Ethics teacher (I'm a high school Junior) that our syllabus would include The Autobiography of Malcolm X, I questioned why. Why in a course of ethics, would we study Malcolm X? As we delved into the book, I realized that it was an integral part of our studies. Malcolm's plight was a slap in the face, especially from my point of view. My first reaction to his "rants" on white america, was pure anger, I felt his vast generalizations to be demeaning and insulting, and if it had not be required reading, I would have probably put the book down. I am thankful that I didn't, because it has opened my eyes, and I believe that every person, regardless of religion, race, or creed, needs to experience this book, and examine Malcolm's life as a hustler to a martyr. My views will forever be changed by the words of Alex Haley, and the amazing story of Malcolm X.

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Summary: Everyone should read this.
Review: This is a must read. Inspirational and motivating all in one.

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Summary: Important book.
Review: The Autobiography of Malcolm X with the collaboration of Alex Haley What turns this book special is the testimony of a man that, just of his intelligence and determination gets to reform all his existence after the contact with a fragment of the traditional knowledge. He becomes his community's leader, known internationally. And, when discovering the flaws and lies of the organization for which had dedicated all his efforts, he breaks up with that structure and proclaims the true Islam. Such courage cost his and his descendents lifes. As background, we see how religious ideas can be manipulated and good and useful actions of a practical and social point of view can be used to hide great lies and evils

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Summary: A classic book, about a great and often misunderstood man.
Review: This is a must read for everyone from all walks of life. The life of Malcolm X is truly inspriational, and the writing of Alex Haley is superb. This is a book you will want to read in one sitting, and will go back to and re-read from time to time.

If you haven't read this book, you really are missing out on one of the great stories of one of the great men of American history.

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Summary: brothersjudddotcom recommends
Review: I remember, as a kid, it was truly this easy: Martin Luther King was a good black guy; Malcolm X was a bad black guy. Upon reflection, I think that, even at his most inflammatory, Malcolm X defied this easy categorization. Who is to say that if he & the Black Panthers hadn't been willing to hold out at least the threat of violence, that whites would have moved to solve the Civil Rights issues as quickly (relatively speaking) as they did? More importantly, suppose the shoe was on the other foot, if you were a young black man in 1960's America, whose message would have had more appeal, Martin's or Malcolm's?

Actually, I have often wondered if black America might have been better served by a more violent tone to the struggle. Civil disobedience works precisely because it depends on the fundamental decency of the oppressor and the certainty that he will yield. But one result of the yielding party's giving in, is that they can end up imbued with a sense of their own magnanimity and sink into a deceptive mood of self congratulation. It might be better for the oppressed if there was more of a sense that they had taken what was theirs, rather than that it was given to them. I don't truly know.

Of course, the ultimate historic irony is that King, the peacemaker and accommodationist, was gunned down by a racist white man, while Malcolm, the rabble rouser and confrontationalist, was killed by rival blacks. Reading his life story, it is hard not to believe that Malcolm X's career was really just beginning. It seems possible, even likely, that the inner peace he had found in the true Moslem religion would have given him the moral and spiritually grounding which, combined with his oratorical gifts and incisive intellect, might have lead him to accomplish great things.

Martin Luther King is justly celebrated; he is an easy hero for white America to embrace. Malcolm X is more problematic, he has sharper edges, but is no less deserving of admiration and honor. His life story belongs on the shelf with Benjamin Franklin and Booker T. Washington and Whittaker Chambers and the other handful of great American autobiographies of self made men.

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Summary: Use this great man's life as a guideline for yours.
Review: This book is proof that as individuals we can accomplish anything if we put the utmost effort into it. Malcolm X hits rock bottom and turns his life around by self-discipline and an unwavering belief in a higher power. He goes from having a self-estimated working vocabulary of not more than a few hundred words to becoming the most powerful speaker I have ever heard. He does this by reading and more reading. He is continually learning and most importantly growing as a person. Malcolm X is proof that sheer willpower and dedication to your cause will make us all better human beings.

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Summary: Autobiography of Malcolm X
Review: I first read this book while writing a term paper in college. I had to pick an autobiography, and since the Spike Lee movie had just come out, I chose this one.

I went in open minded, as a young white man, whose ideas differed on some points from the man himself. No matter what your views on Malcolm X, or what he stood for, READ THIS BOOK. You will be better for it

You will gain an understanding of why the man was who he was, and insight into the type of person he truly was. I always understood him to be a person who was full of rage and hate toward all who were not like him, but I was wrong.

Haley did an excellent job, as should be expected. I would agree that of the century's novels, this is a must-read.