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Summary: This is incredible.
Review: I have only one thing to say about this book: Wow, what an amazing life-story. Anyone who reads this book will be changed in some way. Buy it.
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Summary: An important political and spiritual autobiography
Review: "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" is, in my opinion, one of the essential American life stories. This is Malcolm's life in his own words, as told to Alex Haley (who also wrote a lengthy epilogue to the book). This book is a powerful narrative with a truly epic sweep.The book opens in Omaha, Nebraska, with Malcolm's family being terrorized by the Ku Klux Klan. Malcolm goes on to describe his entry into the seedy New York underworld, and his career as a burglar and illegal drug dealer. After being convicted and imprisoned, he is converted to the pseudo-Islamic sect led by the charismatic Elijah Muhammad. The rest of the book details Malcolm's ultimate disillusionment with the so-called "Black Muslim" sect and his turn towards a more orthodox form of Islam. This book is many things: a political manifesto, a record of spiritual awakening, an intellectual autobiography, and more. I was particularly fascinated by Malcolm's descriptions of the beliefs of the Black Muslim sect, and of his own education via a well-stocked prison library. Ultimately, Malcolm adopts a worldview that transcends racial prejudice and hatred. At times, Malcolm engages in ranting that seems to distract from the overall lucidity of his narrative. In particular, he often expresses anger towards other African-Americans: "Bishop Chickenwings" (his name for certain black Christian ministers), "so-called intellectuals," "black Ph.D. puppets," and "fancy bourgeois Negroes." But such invective should, I believe, be read in proper historical context. Overall, "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" is a powerful, and even inspirational, narrative. For those interested in African-American history or American religious history, this is a vital text.
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Summary: Absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!!!!
Review: I read this book years ago & sill reread captions of it from time to time. When I first started, it was difficult to put down, I couldn't wait to hear what happened next! The absolute best book & autobiography I've ever read in my life!!! An enlightening look into the life of the most brilliant, progressive, strong, influential & misunderstood leader the world has ever seen! Did more for the human rights revolution than any other African-American in history! A must read for all cultures, should be mandatory reading in schools. Paints vividly the hopelessness, despair & pain of poverty & living in the ghetto as an African-American in the wealthiest nation on earth & how one can remake themselves just by 1 idea, thought or decision! Also, reveals a glimmer of truth about Elijah Muhammad & his motives. (there are other sources that go into more detail specifically concerning that)Portrays how 1 man's tireless & selfless efforts to liberate & educate a nation & then have some of the very people he's helping abandon, betray & ultimately kill him. Put this true story of the evolution of a revolutonary and the american dream on your To DO list & get it now!
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Summary: Courage and honesty in potent form!!
Review: Being a white upper class male, but more importantly being white, it was often difficult to get through the beginning of this book. Malcolms potent rage and resent toward the white man is extreme, and he helps the reader understand why. You'll read his honest thoughts and experiences of opression and racism. Being born with a physical disability I have seen my fair share of prejiduce and bias. I gained incredible strength from reading how a man named Deroit Red evolved from being a dope dealing street hustler into Malcolm X. It was especially rewarding to read about his personal transformation, and how his views changed over the coarse of his life. Malcolm changed the world through his refusal to be silent, and helped uplift and inspire millions. An important piece of history that every American should be required to read. The insight and courage you will gain is profound! A+++++++
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Summary: Great American biography
Review: This book should be required reading in high school. Just a terrific story following the life of Malcom X. You can also see the movie Spike Lee made that is based on Malcom X's life, but the book will give you a much fuller picture - it's hard to capture a whole life in 2 hours on the screen.
The best part of this book is the progression that Malcom X shows - from being a hoodlum in NY to prison to the Nation of Islam and on to Mecca - it is not only a geographical sequence, but a tremendous personal growth sequence. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in American history.
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Summary: INCREDIBLE!
Review: Whether you agree with his rhetoric or not, Malcolm X is a man that stood by his principles to the day he was assassinated. This is an inspiring autobiography detailing the life of one of last Century's greatest men.
Read with caution, this book will make you mad but then you will have the determination to make a change.
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Summary: The greatest autobiography I have ever read
Review: In this uncompromising and surging autobiography, Malcolm X, one of the most fascinating and charismatic African Americans of the twentieth century, tells the story of his tumultuous life. He recounts how, from his horrific childhood through to his numerous robberies that eventually landed him in jail, he found solace in Islam which led him to become the prominent speaker of one of the most controversial groups of its time - The Black Muslims.
I read this along with Martin Luther King's autobiography (which anybody who wants to get a true understanding of the two conflicting black philosophies of the time should do), and while I was more in agreement with King's method and message, I found Malcolm X a much more interesting and charismatic personality, and his autobiography more enjoyable. What makes him even more interesting is the way his views altered toward the end of his life and leaned more toward King's.
The book is an easy read and the pages seem to fly by. The book finishes just a few months before his assassination, so unlike most autobiographies, Malcolm X's continues right up until the end of his life.
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Summary: A great book
Review: This book is a great book by a great man, and is a haunting reminder of the African-American experience in particular, and the Black experience in general.
I highly recommend "Retake Your Fame," by Aylmer von Fleischer as well as "The Destruction of Black Civilization," by Chancellor.
These books helps us understand the height from which Blacks have fallen and the reason why.
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Summary: Brilliant!!! Enlightening!!! Uplifting!!! A True Classic!!!
Review: The Autobiography of Malcolm X remains the cornerstone for most libraries in African-American homes. Haley's brilliant conveyance of the details of Malcolm's life is a true work of art. The reader travels back into Malcolm's past, exploring his family history and his earliest views of life and society as a whole. Step by step we are exposed to the experiences that would serve as the foundation to the brilliance that would personify in this great leader. This book has elevated the consciousness of many Black people, not only in the U.S., but also around the world. Additionally, reading such literature will enable caucasian people to better understand Malcolm X and easily conclude that his message was not of hate, but of self-improvement, self-pride and self-motivation, as well as anti-oppression, anti-degradation and anti-exploitation. Malcolm X remains an icon within the Black community, and this book plays a large part in that reverence. I cannot recommend it higher! Finally, I suggest reading Andrew Claude Clegg's "The Original Man" along with The Autobiography of Malcolm X. It will grant further insight into his relationship with Elijah Muhammad and some of the inner-workings of the Nation of Islam.
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Summary: One of my favorite books of all-time
Review: This is a must-read for everyone (black or white) 'cuz it changed my life completely since I seen the movie, watch documentaries about him and then learn more about him.
As you know, Malcolm X is one of my heroes of all-time even though he had a powerful message since Martin Luther King did "I Have A Dream" speech is 1963. This is sumthin u shouldn't hate about or u think is racist enuff or sumthin. I don't call it by that. I call a more mature book that has the basic details that what's going in our community and the culture we live in today.
Many of us who are sacrificing and showing mercy among ourselves to this book or the man behind himself must read this book. This is really a study guide to talk about our community. Spike Lee does a good job on this movie he did from the book. And I thank God he'll live and learn 2 this day.
R.I.P. Malcolm X your legacy lives on between us.
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