The Autobiography of Malcolm X
1966 • 460 pages
Ratings54
Average rating4.4
15
Ratings54
Average rating4.4
Biography of the American black religious leader and activist who was born Malcolm Little, published in 1965. Written by Alex Haley, who had conducted extensive audiotaped interviews with Malcolm X just before his assassination in 1965, the book gained renown as a classic work on black American experience.
The Autobiography is told through the first-person voice of Malcolm X with added content and narrative provided by Alex Haley. Though at times self-aggrandizing, Malcolm X tells of his extraordinary transformation from a boy whose father was murdered by white supremacists; to a young scam artist and drug dealer in Harlem, New York; to a self-taught scholar in prison; to a prominent leader in and minister for the Nation of Islam; and then finally, to a man transformed by his trip to Africa and to Mecca and marked as a threat by the Nation of Islam leaders.
Through a life of passion and struggle, Malcolm X became one of the most influential figures of the 20th Century. Here, the man who called himself “the angriest Black man in America” relates how his conversion to true Islam helped him confront his rage and recognize the brotherhood of all mankind. An established classic of modern America, The Autobiography of Malcolm X was hailed by the New York Times as “Extraordinary. A brilliant, painful, important book.” The strength of his words, the power of his ideas continue to resonate more than a generation after they first appeared.
Reviews with the most likes.
I finally, finally got around to finishing The Autobiography of Malcolm X. What a fantastic book. Though the early years weren't as interesting to me, once I learned more about his experiences with the Nation of Islam and then “orthodox” Islam (his word, not mine), I was riveted. I had known all of this about Malcolm X before, but now I have a better developed understanding of his experiences.
He asked what has Christianity done for the world, which I also think is a good point. Islam gets a bad reputation for being “violent,” though if we look throughout history, many militia groups in the U.S., as well as secessionists, ethnic purists, and abortion clinic bombers have been Christian. While I do not deem Christianity to be anymore “violent” overall than Islam, I think it's worth looking at in a critical lens.
Another interesting point that Malcolm X discusses is how “whites” (general society) don't ask what black people think about world health, sending the man to the moon, or any other issues. Instead, people only ask them about racial-political issues, which I think points to the same thing that Malcolm X claims—an underestimation of their intelligence.
Malcolm X's ability to engage and develop a social movement in an era of far fewer technological tools is astounding. I worry that in the future, we will not have orators quite like Malcolm X.
An amazing story. Malcolm X was one of those rare people that would have been successful no matter what he did? Alex Haley did a great job. I really well written book.
