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Summary: A depiction of the man
Review: For such a contoversial figure, The Autobiography of Macolm X< puts a human face on a movement.Wheteher or not you agreed with Malcom X's politics this book shines light on one of america's most enigmatic figures
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Summary: ESSENTIAL, NECESSARY AND POWEFUL: A CATALYST FOR CHANGE.....
Review: Malcom X, in my humble opinion, was one of the greatest Black minds/men to ever grace the earth. Reading this book not only broadened my views of racism and its role in the shaping of our world, it was also the starting point of a new-found pride in my heritage: I no longer cared what the origin of my last name was, and I cut the perm off my hair to finally embrace the uniqueness that my Black genes afforded me. And by learning his backround and experience, I ultimately understood that it IS possible for a Black man to rise out of the ashes of drug abuse/criminal activity to become the king he was destined to be all along. In fact, Malcolm's character and perserverance, rising like the fiery Phoenix out of the ashes of opression, never fails to encourage and inspire me, and gives me hope for the future. He is one of the most pivotal figures in our collective history, and this book should be required reading for anyone of any color. "Our Shining Black Prince" deserves no less a tribute to the life he led and the legacy he left behind. A book to be cherished and learned from again and again.
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Summary: One Of The Greatest
Review: This book should be required reading for every black man in America.This book totally change my life and the way i view others.After reading this i began to see things differently and view others with a greater respect than ever before.If you think Malcolm X was just another hate teacher or racist then you must read this book.It will show you who the real Malcolm was and give you a greater feeling of self-respect.Read this book and get anyone you know to read it as well.
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Summary: What's under the surface is even more interesting!
Review: The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a galvanizing read, not only for its riviting narrative, but also for its controversial statements. As a white American, I was forced to acknowledge that X was correct in many of his attacks on White America, and these truths made me realize I should have read this book earlier, because it explains exactly _why_ many African-Americans continue to have such hostility toward whites and why we as individuals must acknowlege this ugly legacy if there is to be any hope of establishing a dialogue between us all. But, there is more to this book than that. This is the story of a man who lived life intensely, first as a criminal and then transformed into the nation's leading prophet and social critic. You get to know him as a naive student, a hip hustler in 1940s Harlem, a jailbird and finally, as a Muslim activist acutely aware that he is a target, a man who confronts danger in the face without compromise. The chapters dealing with his pilgramage to Mecca should be mandatory reading for anyone desiring to understand the Moslem religion. Alex Hailey did a wonderful job of organizing Malcolm X's remarks to make this personal history so readable. But the most fascinating thing about this book is what it leaves out. Throughout the text, Malcolm X leaves hints of being in personal danger, of knowing he does not have long to live--but he does not say directly what that danger is or why he knows about it. There are only a few hints in the whole book. Just as he remained silent about the personal scandals of Elijah Mohammed, X chooses not to reveal the darker side of the Muslim movement, the trained assasins that eventually brought him down, and why he knows so much about their competence in killing. This book is an essential read, and should not be limited to the category of race-related literature.
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Summary: Understanding The Black Male Experience
Review: I have never read a book that so accurately displayed the black male experience in the United States. Whether it be Uncle Tom, street hustler, prison inmate, militant reformist, or devout Muslim, The Autobiography of Malcolm X addresses each of our nation's black male molds with intense passion and uncanny attention to detail. Its success is due to the fact that Malcolm X himself, at some point in his life, exemplified each of these personality types. In summary, I was able to relate to his life's account in a manner that is truly indescribable. This book reveals the truths of the American racial enigma with an unyielding severity and forces the reader to realize much progress is still to be made. This novel can do nothing but encourage young black males like myself to make a serious self-evaluation and stand against the injustices that continue to plague our society. My outlook on life has been invariably altered by this book.
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Summary: CHARISMATIC, INTELLIGENT, POWERFUL
Review: This will truly change your entire perception of exactly what divided races in the mid 20th century and what divides them as we progress into the 21st century. Filled with scintilating pieces of horrific truth and brutal honesty, a provocative story roars at us from this indelible masterpiece. Malcolm X was one of the most misunderstood public figures ever, and our notions of him and his movement are clarified and given deeper insight from his autobiography. Charismatic, intelligent, and powerful are the best words I can think of to describe what Malcolm X and Alex Haley have created.
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Summary: The story of a great leader!
Review: Alex Haley has written an excellent (auto)biography of one of Americas most fascinating leaders and "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" is interestingly written entirely in first-person tale, something I truly enjoyed. We get to follow Malcolm X and his family, from his childhood in Omaha Nebraska, via the streets and back allies in Harlem, Malcolm X in jail, and then after he converted, and became a Muslim and joined with Mr. Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. The final part of the book is about when Malcolm X went to Mecca and Africa where he underwent an amazing transformation and came back to America as a truly changed man. He no longer hated the white man, but instead, like he answered at a press conference: -"My trip to Mecca has opened my eyes. I no longer subscribe to racism. I have adjusted my thinking to the point where I believe that whites are human beings" [a significant pause] "as long as this is borne out by their humane attitude toward Negroes"-. It was the split with Mr. Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, which resulted in his too early death, and that at a time when he was just coming to grip with whom he was, his own potential, and what his role should be. It breaks my heart reading how Mr. Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam went on smearing Malcolm X's reputation, even after his death. Mr. Elijah Muhammad even went so far to call him a *hypocrite*! Malcolm X might have been a lot of things, but a hypocrite he wasn't. But he *was* a man with a great portion of integrity, and in the end that was what got him killed... My intention for reading this book was obviously to fill a few holes in my knowledge of American History. (And I have to admit that I knew very little of Malcolm X before I started reading this book). I was completely fascinated by the story of Malcolm X, and it soon became impossible for me to put the book down. This is a book that made me both laugh and cry. It is not often that I read a book, which so deeply touches my heart as this one did! I finished this book with a deeper comprehension of the pain and distress the African American people has had to suffer through out history. This is book that has taught me many things and a book that I most certainly will refer to in the future. "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" is a book that I will strongly recommend to anyone who is interested in History/Culture/Religion/America. In fact, this book should be *compulsory* reading for everyone. This is probably one of the best books that I will read this year. Please read it!
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Summary: An unparalleled autobiography
Review: The Autobiography of Malcolm X belongs on the short-list of any compilations of best biographies/autobiographies for two reasons. First, the fact that among all the public figures that American history has to offer, Malcolm is undoubtedly one of the most complex. Secondly, Alex Haley does an amazing job of transporting the reader into Malcolm's thoughts and feelings. Praise of this book is not simply praise of the subject; this is also a powerful literary work and a sharp piece of history. Autobiography is a classic American tale of one of the most misunderstood figures in American history. Malcolm has been and is viewed as everything from an evil racist hate-monger to the champion of modern day militant pro-Black radicals. What he was, in reality, was a remarkably intelligent and charismatic leader who reflected the ills of the society around him, changed throughout his life, and gradually evolved from ignorance to anger to enlightenment. Autobiography should be required reading for anyone who claims to have an opinion on Malcolm. My strong recommendation is not simply praise for Malcolm; certainly it would be possible to write an uninteresting book on a compelling figure. My recommendation for this particular biography comes for the power and precision of Alex Haley's writing. Haley puts us in Malcolm's schoolroom, amongst the petty criminals of his youth, in the penitentiary, amongst the militants of the Nation of Islam, and in Mecca and Africa, where he underwent his final transformation. We see what Malcolm sees, and we feel what Malcolm feels. This is a critically important element in the success of this amazing biography. Malcolm started as an empty vessel into which the American Black experience was poured - with all of the racism and violence that this implies - and Malcolm reflected his experiences in his convictions and deeds. In that Haley brings the reader face to face with Malcolm's experiences we understand how and why Malcolm became the person that he became; he truly was a mirror to American society. The great tragedy is that Malcolm's rift with the Nation of Islam brought resulted in his early death, just at the time that he was realizing his true purpose. Commenting on his experience in Mecca, shortly before his assassination, Malcolm comments "I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of their color." In this statement, and others, he acknowledges that his former view on race was merely a reflection of the American racism which surrounded him, and these are the views that he had internalized. I'm actually not sure whether to call this book a biography or an autobiography. It's a purely first-person tale, but as a literary work Haley shines. Either way, the mark of a great autobiography/biography is that it allows you to understand the subject - his or her thoughts and motives. This is a daunting task for a subject as complex as Malcolm, and this book brings it off brilliantly. Very highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: good book
Review: This was a very good book
Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: This is one of the most gripping books I have ever read. I advise all people who enjoy good books to read this one.
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