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Summary: a chance to understand
Review: A very well written piece of history where you can explore the controversial man, for those who know and don't know him. You get to know about his past and his driving force that tried to make the world a better place, to the best of his knowledge.
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Summary: The Universal Struggle of Being an X
Review: The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a truly American book that should be read by all. Beyond its criticism of the white American man for racial prejudices, this book dives into the political, social, economic, and racial atmosphere that causes the demeaning of the individual in America. While Malcolm X's legacy may be forever associated with violence and hate, his autobiography leaves written proof of a man who craved oneness and universality more than anyone. While the beginning of the book is told as X thought at the time; that the black man is superior to the white man in every way, and that the white man is a devil, the end of the book is filled with the spark of words coming from the excited mind of a newly enlightened brilliant mind. As Malcolm writes, "It isn't the American white man who is a racist, but it's the American political, economic, and social atmosphere that automatically nourishes a racist psychology in the white man." As Malcolm X evolves, so does the reader, until all fear is turned to anger and all anger is turned into ideas and enlightenment. I recommend Malcolm X to all open readers. This book moves really fast and is captivating immediately. Whether one agrees with X's views or not, is beside the point of the book, the book is about the self and the struggle of acceptance which we all relate to.
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Summary: We didn't land on Plymouth rock, Plymouth rock landed on us
Review: The autobiography of Malcolm X is an exceeding power piece of literature. This autobiography was written by Alex Haley as told by Malcolm X;it tells of his hardships of growing in the heart of the hustling world of Detroit. Who would have known by listening to Malcolm X speak at a convention that he was a self educated man that recieve his education in the prison walls. Mr. X was deeply rooted in the Islamic religion. He was loyal to the Elijah Muhammad, who betrayed him at the end; because of his mere opinion that too much fame was coming upon Malcolm X. Overall, Malcolm X autobiography is inspiring and powerful and should be read by all.
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Summary: Malcolm X
Review: "America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered 'white'-but the 'white' attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brother hood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of their color." These are the words of Malcolm X, published in his autobiography. This quote sums up his ideas at the end of the book, showing what it took him his entire life to conclude. Throughout the book, his thoughts on race relations continuously change, this being the constant theme of the book. The story evolves realistically and with a lot of things to hold the attention of the reader. Although the book is potentially offensive at times, all in all, it's worth it.
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Summary: A Life of Lessons
Review: I had never read an autobiography before so I was skeptical when I chose to read Malcolm X. My opinion changed dramatically after reading this book. It was very interesting to read about his life and all of the struggles he went through. Before reading this book I knew almost nothing about him. I now have much respect for him and what he stood for. There was a lot about religion in the second half, which sometimes couldn't keep my attention, but that is probably due to where I stand on the subject of religion. If you aren't into religion that shouldn't prevent you from reading this book. I think everyone should experience reading it sometime throughout their life. There are many lessons in this book that made me think. It showed me viewpoints that I had never thought about before. Many people think he was the cause of much of the racism and violence that was going on in America while he was a spokesman for the Muslim religion. He once said, "I don't go for non-violence if it also means a delayed solution. To me a delayed solution is a non-solution." I will say that he did illegal things in his earlier life and I thought of him as somewhat of a hypocrite when he would preach against those things to thousands of people for his religion. I realize now that people can change and teach about the lessons they have learned as long as they don't repeat their previous bad habits. I think highly of Malcolm X because it couldn't have been easy to share his life story with the world. If you are looking for information about Malcolm X this is a great book because it not only gives you excellent information but it gives you the best understand of what he stood for, being that these are his own words. We should all wish to be as strong as he was and stand for what we believe in no matter what force tries to push us down.
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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: The Tale of an Important Man
Review: "Malcolm X" is a great book. Most poeple think of him as a segregationalis, but he wasn't, he was a separationalist. He was the only black leader who could reach down and talk to the people of the black ghettos. Even Martin Luther King said that the only way to go is the way of Malcolm X. The book is truly needed to understand American history.
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Summary: Wow!
Review: Probably one of the most inspiring books you would ever come across... a book about a man who was lost but was found. Although I am not religious and could not associate with X's feelings towards 'God', however, I admire his determination, spirit and aggression in fighting for what he believed in. Also, for a man to educate himself and was able to speak in such an eloquent manner should make many of us (college graduates) ashamed of ourselves. Before converting to Islam, Malcolm X went through stages of life, which I believe many people today continue to suffer from. But I am not sure how many people nowadays can be as brave as Malcolm X in giving up many of the world's evil. The hustler turns leader journey is worthy read - even a must own! Finally, to those who will read this book, I strongly advice you to take a look at how Malcolm X described the world he lived in and the world we are living in... nothing has changed much. The only thing that has changed is that the media and information technology has advanced society! But still being controlled by the 'devils', the American government has used these to enforce their own causes to the world when her 'own backyard is still in a mess'. Should Malcolm X still be around today, I think he would be attacking the US government of being the puppet master of the Third World.
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Summary: Incredible Story
Review: In elementary school, all we hear about when it comes to civil rights in the 60's is Martin Luther King. And while he was definitely the most influential, Malcolm X comes in at a close second, representing the angry side of the movement of people who had been beaten down for hundreds of years. This book is an incredible journey from street thug, to anti-white leader, to peaceful philosopher at the time of his death. I loved it and everyone should have to read it in high school.
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Summary: By any means necessary
Review: The highly charged, highly complex struggle of African Americans is not made any easier but certainly well articulated in this 1960s book by Alex Haley. One of the few books whose celebrity of the subject buries the celebrity of the author - despite his success with "Roots". In this short book, one is introduced to a small but influential sector of the African American discourse. To reduce the struggle to Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King and The Nation of Islam would be a real disservice to the ongoing struggle. Having said all that, it does ring loud that if there was one man who defined the anger, the true potential for violence and often conflicting emotions surrounding that era, Malcolm X can be of the representations of that era and we ignore it at our own peril. Full of pathos, the book is really the epic journey of Malcolm Little to himself. The journey begins in poverty and ends with the tragic death of a wiser and more at peace Malcolm X. Not to undermine Malcolm X's life work, clearly that violence and Malcolm X's attempts to reverse his involvement in form of engagement should be a lesson to us all. The story also proves that we are in a constant state of becoming and that change is inevitable. Malcolm X is an inspiration not because of the violence, anger and rage he provoked (and not without good reason....). He is an inspiration for the call to personal greatness he personified, the freedom he tried to provide and the courage he possessed. The dualities of good vs. bad do not apply here. Malcolm X personifies beyond good and evil. He is a mix of passion and reason and Alex Haley does a brilliant job as a modern day scribe. A must read for anyone who wishes to truly understand. Maybe when we say "...by any means necessary..." in the future we will be given pause to think. Miguel Llora
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