Alex Haley & Malcolm X's the Autobiography of Malcolm X (Bloom's Notes)

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Summary: One of the greatest Americans
Review: Dismissing Malcolm X as "racist" or "anti-Semitic" is a convenient way to avoid a dialogue about the United States' greatest barrier to unity and peace: our seeming inability to come to grips with the oppression the white man has heaped upon the non-white people of the world, and more specifically, on African-Americans and their ancestors. After practically destroying the Native American people and their culture, whites have insisted on maintaining economic and social superiority over the black population that is too numerous to simply kill off. It happens everywhere in America today, even in "liberal" cities like Portland, OR, where 95% of blacks live in one area of town where relatively few whites live. Malcolm X was unafraid to speak the unvarnished, undeniable truth about the effects and realities of American racism. Not only does he deliver a searing indictment of white "history," "the Autobiography of Malcolm X" also tells the inspirational story of a man who lifted himself out of the gutter to overcome what seemed to be an unavoidable fate and became a great thinker and a catalyst for social change. To me, one of Malcolm X's most astute observations is the link between Christianity and racism. Malcolm had nothing against Christ--indeed, even Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet--but he provides numerous examples through the centuries of the destruction and misery brought by white Christians to the non-white populations of the world, all in the name of Jesus! It's a fact that most Christians (many of whom are African-American) and non-Christians refuse to face. Malcolm X was a great philosopher, a prophet, and a great American.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful book of the man and the movement
Review: I read this book with little (if any) prior knowledge of who Malcolm X was and what his place in history is. This book was entertaining enough to hold my interest, yet compelling enough to leave me feeling a certain conviction at the horrible way my country has treated the African American people. While my personality recoils at some of the things Malcolm X did, my heart cannot help but be moved by the hardships and inequity he sought to overcome. I would recommend this book to anyone -- but especially the man or woman in need of a stirring of the heart in the matter of racial pride.

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Summary: Down-to-earth frankness and truth!
Review: There are always a couple of morons who think they know better and give some stupid review, like the reader from Florida, June 30, 1999. It's much more worthy of one's life to learn the obvious thoroughly and to help people realize the pressing problems of racism than to waste one's life hiding one's self or trying to avoid facing the real problem(even a death threat). There are problems like racial problem that need immediate action. If Malcom X doesn't start to hit his head against the wall of racism, I think the wall of racism will still be there in this so-called liberal country. It's a pity that there are morons such as the one from Florida would give such a superficial and stupid review. I'm telling you(reader from Florida) this right now would mean I'm putting money in your pocket.It also means that I'm making you a little bit wiser. Besides the racial problem, there are a lot of things we can learn from Malcom X such as his sturdy determination and perseverance to attain knowledge. He is truly the self-educated man. This book might make some people uneasy but what is written in the book is the truth. It's a must-read

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Summary: Amazing, If you like good books then read it!!!
Review: Pure brilliance. It has every thing, excitement, passion and sorrow. One of the best books ever written. It kept me reading I could not put it down. It was thorough and we could see him grow through the book. If I were to say anything bad about it, it would be the length of the foreword. It took too long before you get into the story. Overall a must read, Alex Haley should be commended for a job well done.

Rating:
Summary: a lifetime spent learning the obvious
Review: First of all, what kind of autobiography is written by someone other than the subject of the autobiography? That would be like me writing the autobiography of President Clinton. The proper word here is biography NOT autobiography. Poor Malcom. He spends an entire life learning the obvious. I was not impressed. Of course, anger is a dead end. Of course, the Muslims aren't all they would like us to think they are. Of course, a life of petty crime is a dead end. If he had actually shut up for a while and listened to other people, he could have saved himself a lot of trouble, and maybe still be alive. But some people are so dense they will not listen but need to hit their heads against the wall over and over again. These are the unteachable ones who need to reinvent the wheel rather than borrow it.

Rating:
Summary: excellent, incredibly insightful, life-changing book
Review: Malcolm X to many people was the epitome of a violent natured, totally corrupted, evil spirit. As early as page one however, we find that this couldn't have been further from the truth. In fact, in the last chapter (1965), Malcolm masterfully articulates the universal truth that seems to shape everyone's life: the fact that circumstance, not unintelligence or inherent evil nature, is the fundamental cause of most of our decisions. Secondly, we see how ultimately unintelligent decisions are made in an intelligent manner. We find that Malcolm was an astute individual whose vision, or lack there of, caused him to whole-heartedly devote most of his mature adult life to an organization he would later regret ever having been a champion of. So, the limit of human intelligence and understanding is revealed poignantly in this life story. What is most inspiring is the integrity with which Malcolm carried himself- unike too many of today's religious "leaders". When he changed, it was for real! Also, in reading this book, it becomes obvious through Malcolm's recounts of history that religion and poilitics are inseperable. That is, if one, after reading this book, still holds to the belief that religion and politics have nothing to do with each other, then he/she understands niether. The theme of subjectivity and self-interest rings loud as a bell. Malcolm, above all, was a sociologist; he understood human behavoir at it's core. He could very well have been a better poitician than JFK and Clinton combined- he was just that brilliant! Pay close attention to his criminal life and all the knowledge he imparts, the LBJ/Goldwater comparison, the Nation's "jealousy", Hollywood's version of love and relationships, Alex Haley's "up close and personal", and the use and meaning of the word "devil".

Rating:
Summary: Powerful and thought provoking.
Review: I learned so much from this book. Not only did I learn a lot of historical truth, I learned about courage. This book provoked many emotions in me. Malcolm was one of those rare people that truly lived by his principles and ideals. He was not afraid to speak out passionately about his beliefs, and not afraid to admit that he might have been wrong in some instances. He was fully alive, always thinking, questioning, and preaching his beliefs. After reading this book I came away with a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Malcolm X. I wish everyone would read this book because it is unforgettable.

Rating:
Summary: Read the whole book!!!
Review: A fascinating look at one man's personal growth. Fast-paced and very readable - I couldn't put it down. But - the book must be read through, beginning to end, to fully appreciate the changes which Malcolm X experienced in his life, caused by both external forces and personal acquisition of knowledge. Should be required reading in every US high-school curriculum.

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Summary: Shows a black leader's perspective of life in this century
Review: This book shows how much the black person had to suffer and how much he went through. It shows how white society forced them into ghettoes and how the realities they faced turned them into hustlers. It opens your eyes to what black people endured and the barriers to pride and a good self-esteem. Before reading this book, I had only learned about history through the white man's point of view; all other people were invisible. The book shows how many black people living in the ghettoes felt. White people held black people down because white people were afraid of them and did not want black people to talk about their reality. White people did not want black people to become equal because white people were scared of black people. The only way for black people to get respect was by working for the white man. But within that system, white people still had control and could determine how far black people could move up in the social ladder. The book shows just how bad/oppressive white people are from a black leader's point of view. I was ashamed of what white people did to black people after reading this book.

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Summary: how did malcolm change?
Review: Does any one have a clue in how Malcolm changed in the beging of the book. He went thru so many changes throughout the book, what was his first?