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

Rating:
Summary: A great in the world of Afro-American literature.
Review: After both reading "The Autobiography of Malcolm X", and seeing the Spike Lee film, "Malcolm X", I can truthfully say that I know much more about Malcolm X than I previously did, and , (to my surprise), I actually enjoyed it. You see, this book was an assignment for a class, and although it dragged at some parts, Alex Haley has definatly written a good book. The conerstone is how Haley takes facts about the life of Malcolm X, that would normally be textbook dull, and makes them interesting for the reader. Haley also throws all commen misconceptions of Malcolm X out the window, by using, (of all things), the truth. Sure, later on in his life, Malcolm was a bitter man who generalized white people as "devils", but that is mearly half the story. How many of you knew about Malcolm's youth? About how he was a self proclaimed "hick" before he moved to Harlem? About how when he arrived there, he spent his life on the streets as a drug dealer? All in all, Haley, for the most part, has written a great book about the life of a great man, Minister Malcolm X.

Rating:
Summary: Clears up misconceptions
Review: The Autobiography of Malcolm X was a very well written book about religion, racism, and self-discovery. This book is a great read for anyone who wants to clear up any misconceptions they have about Malcolm X or all the issues linked to him. This book is also great for just about anybody because of the universality of the problems he faces in his life. Malcolm begins as a very bright child but because of his environment and society he is forced into many years of confusion. This caused him to become a hustler in Harlem and go to jail for several years. His turning point seemed to be in jail when he discovered the religion of Islam. Finding something to truly believe in enabled him to pick himself up and turn his life around for his own survival. Then later on when he is betrayed by Elijah Muhammed the only man he ever really looked up to and respected, he creates a better self even more by breaking out of his narrow-minded belifs and learning to love people for who they are, and learning to love himself as the individual he finally found in himself before his tragic death. Although the preaching and racism that took up a few entire chapters upset me and began to lose my interest, I think working through it and finishing this book was extremely important and well worth my time.

Rating:
Summary: Essential
Review: For anyone who finds themself pondering incredulously the remarkable cruelty of which our "glorious" American society is capable, this book is essential. For anyone hoping to better understand exactly what battle the fiery Malcolm X was fighting, this book is essential. In fact, for anyone who lives in today's blatantly racist and classist America, this book is essential. It attempts to bring to light truths which even today are shrouded in the ignorance of indoctrination. "The society" in which we live "has produced and nourishes a psychology which brings out the lowest, most base part of human beings." This is what Malcolm X fought. This autobiography is essential especially for those who would continue the struggle of which Malcolm X was so integral a part.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a great link to Malcolm X's life
Review: The Autobiography of Malcolm X provides a very detailed and repetitive description of Malcolm X's life. The book goes in chronological order from the beginning of his life in Michigan to the very end of his life when he is assassinated by fellow Muslims. The beginning of the book is very interesting and holds your attention for many chapters. With detailed descriptions of his childhood as a hick and his teenage years as a hoodlum on the East Coast, I felt like I was with Malcolm when he was growing up. I also had a better understanding for what life was like for black people, of all classes, back then. Not knowing anything about Malcolm X or The Nation of Islam, I certainly learned all about Malcolm X and the Muslim religion. The Muslim religion is described in great detail from when Malcolm is in prison until the end. I feel a lot better about myself now that I know about and understand what another religion believes and how it is run. I think the main theme of this book is self-discovery. Like many other minorities, Malcolm struggled through the whole book to be at peace with who he was. With conflicts within his race he had trouble making peace with white people before making peace with black people. I think the phrase Malcolm X repeatedly uses,"by any means necessary," describes Malcolm's philosophy on life. I think that this is why society thought of him as a violent person because he would do anything to get what he wanted. Although this book did get slow towards the middle with Malcolm repeatedly lecturing on the devil white man, in all I thought it was a good book. It should definitely be read so society truly understands the type of person Malcolm X was, how the Nation of Islam works, and what can be done to help the continuing struggle with racial equality.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: Alex Haley did a great job telling about the life of Malcolm X. It was really interesting when Alex told about Malcolm's childhood and teenage years. But when Malcolm became involved in the Muslim religion, the book began to drag. I think Alex could have taken some of the stuff about the Muslim religion out, because it would have made the second half of the book better. Other than that, I think that this is a veary good book, and would recommend it to others.

Rating:
Summary: The mind of Malcolm
Review: Overall, I think this book was extremely intriguing and informative. Although at times Malcolm's views were prejudice and extreme, this book allowed me to see his life and the world through his eyes. It was not just a book about a black man's life but it was a story about the self-discovery of a human being. He shares his story of love and hardships and his change of heart about other races. "Packed in the plane were white, black, brown, red, and yellow people, blue eyes and blond hair and my kinky red hair all together, brothers! All honoring the same God Allah all in turn giving equal honor to each other." Ultimately, I think if you can keep an open mind through a few chapters of his racist views and thoughts of hatred, that you will get through the only weakness of this book, it's definitely worth reading, especially if you want to know the truth behind the X.

Rating:
Summary: Lost leader
Review: This is the first autobiography I have ever read that has actually said something. I mean others have things to say but this autobiography not only deals with the person, but other important issues as well. The story line of his life starts with Malcolm's childhood and ends with his tragic feud with the nation of Islam, dealing with important issues along the way. Throughout Malcolm's whole life it's as he's lost, he needs guidance. Starting out in Boston looking to find a way of life he wants. Moving to Harlem in New York city changing again to fit the life style he still sought after. Until he make the greatest change of his life when he commits to Islam. even as he finds new direction he is still lost as he takes on the biggest struggle of his life. Malcolm was truly a revolutionary man of the times, exposing the dark side of American that nobody wanted to deal with. Other leaders such as Martin Luther King were more passive leaders and didn't necessarily deal with the heart of the problem. Reading this book challenged me and some of my views I had of the past and of today.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Review: The Autobiography of Malcolm X edited by Alex Haley is a book that had a great impact on my life. I think it has made a major change in me. I read it for the first time in my Freshmen year at College for an english paper. And here I'm doing another paper on Malcolm X. My view on life has changed dramtically by this book

Rating:
Summary: I'm telling you, read it.
Review: Before I read this book, I had a negative feeling about Malcolm X. Then I realized I didn't know anything about him. I don't like to pass judgement without being informed, so I decided to read this book. I didn't know what to expect. I read the book with a completely open mind. Anybody reading it would have to do so, or you won't get anything out of it. I now have a better understanding of what would make a black man view white people as "devils." I understand that black pride is not about being anti-white, but about overcoming the overwhelming odds that are stacked up against a Black American. I would recommend this book to anyone. I don't think there's a person in the world who couldn't learn something from it. For me, it was an entirely new viewpoint. I think a lot about race, but from MY perspecitve, as a white teenage girl who exclusively dates black men. That makes me deffensive about black people talking bad about "the white man." But I put down my deffenses and objectively read what turned out to be the most influential book I've ever read. After reading this book, I don't see how anybody could feel anything toward Malcolm X other than a deep admiration and respect.

Rating:
Summary: All praise is due....
Review: This is more than a book. This is the new New Testament. The life of the honorable Malik Shabazz is an example to people of all walks; a shining tribute to personal growth, knowledge of self, and strength of character. The lessons of Malcolm's life are too numerous to list, and no matter the total, you can never have read this book enough. I've read this book 12 times over the past 6 years, and it serves as a clear reminder of the reason we must all continue to improve ourselves. The world depends upon that personal growth, and I guarantee you'll never be the same after reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X. All praise is due......