The Autobiography of Malcolm X

MY FAVORITE BOOK.

This is my favorite book of any genre, both fiction and nonfiction. It is the greatest piece of literature of the 20th Century. It is the greatest piece of African American literature of all time. It gives you a different perspective on politics, crime, religion and history. This is not a piece to which one has to agree. As a matter of fact, it is not a piece by which one has to abide by the standards therein. Rather, this is a work of art that compels to reader to indulge in the lost art of thinking. READ THIS BOOK!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A powerful story about the most misunderstood leader of the Civil Rights Era.

Show me a book that should be required reading for every student and I will show you a copy of The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska (a city not really known for its African American culture) Malcolm Little and his family were forced to leave after a confrontation with the KKK.

As a young man barely able to read or write, Malcolm becomes a theif, a hustler and eventually a prisoner. While in prison he becomes mesmerized by the teachings of a man called Elijah Mohammed, head of the Nation of Islam, a religious sect of Islam that caters to the plight of African Americans during the mid 20th Century.

After reading his way through what was effectively a Ph.D in prison, Malcolm becomes the number two man in the Nation of Islam and the most rhetorical voice of social change in America- an honor that would cause him to be demonized by Whites and Blacks alike.

Published posthumously,(Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965 by members of the Nation of Islam who most likely cohorts of the FBI) this book is definitive work on race realtions without it being a text book per se. It also inspired the author, Alex Haley, to write his most famous novel Roots.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

the best biography i've ever read

"Beautifully written, Alex Haley's interviews perfectly capture what it must have been like to sit down and talk with one of the most important civil rights activist in American history.  A must read for anyone tired of the dry descriptions of the civil rights movement in America we all learn about in textbooks."
 
 
 
    The Autobiography of Malcolm X is the gripping story of one of America's most important figures in African American history.  His story shows not only the atrocities committed against people of color in the early 20th century, it shows that even the most hardened of people can still overcome old prejudices.  For the majority of Malcolm's all to short life, he hated white people.  It wasn't just blind hatred, he had reason to hate white people. After all, white people murdered his father. White people pressured his widowed mother so much, she went insane and was thrown into an asylum. White people taught him he was inferior and gave him a religion that reinforced that feeling.  This book expertly chronicles his many travels and the affects that the places he lived in and visited had on him. In Omaha, Nebraska he quickly learned of racism and the price you could pay for speaking out against it. In Boston, he was educated in worldly ways and the easy money of criminal activity. In the concrete jungle of Harlem he learned to thieve, hustle, deal drugs, and avoid the law. Unfortunately for him, running the streets of Harlem caught up with him when he cheated a man out of his money and nearly got himself murdered. After being hunted and almost put six feet under he returned to Boston. There, after years of preparation in Harlem, he set up a major robbery ring. But you can't run from fate your whole life and after years of breaking the law he was arrested and convicted of masterminding a house-robbing ring. He was sentenced to 8-10 years. This book has Malcolm X reflecting on the bleak outlook of his life if he had not gone to prison. He even goes so far as to declare that if he hadn't gone to jail he would have ended up as just another dead black kid on the side of the street. I loved how he really went in depth and described his transformation while incarcerated. When he first arrived in prison he earned the nickname Satan from his fellow inmates for his temper and actions. Then one day, his little brother came to visit him and told him of an organization called the nation of Islam. Soon after, other relatives start to visit and tell him about the same organization. He becomes very interested and starts to read up on religion and the new American version of Islam. He became so interested he began to correspond with the leader of The Nation of Islam. While in prison he takes a life-changing step and commits his life to Islam. Malcolm X emerges from prison a completely changed man. The book expertly details his transformation from hardened criminal to motivated and dedicated Muslim. Reading about him turning his life around is like watching a flower blossom. You know he's been searching for this his whole life and now he finally has found a meaning in life. However, this is far from the end of his story. In my opinion the most important point in this book happens after Malcolm's release from prison. Unfortunately, he has a falling out with The Nation of Islam leader and converts to traditio

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I couldn't sleep after finishing it

This book is sure to have a tremendous impact on you.

Growing up in NYC in the 70's, I can remember seeing the so-called "Black Muslims" all over downtown Brooklyn and upper Manhattan. Sometimes they would scare me because they were so militant and angry. But after talking to schoolmates who grew up in that religion, I came to realize why they were so angry. Malcolm X was a fixture of New York culture and yet I had never read his book--until now.

His message of self-sufficiency and pride was timely. The black community needed to hear Malcolm X even if they weren't ready for his message. He articulated frustration without compromise. The best part of the book for me was when he went to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage and learned what he called "True Islam." This helped him to widen his perspective and abandon his "reverse racism."

The book is profound and you will be completely absorbed when you read it whether or not you agree with his philosophies. I shuddered at his "White Devil" rhetoric, but I understood where he was coming from. His was a legacy of oppression and self-loathing resulting from generations of racism. It made me sad that he was killed before he was able to integrate his broader version of the Islam faith with his more tolerant views of human rights.

I couldn't sleep after finishing it. It was that profound.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A book that will forever change my views on life. The aut

A book that will forever change my views on life. The autobiography of Malcom X took me into a world that I had never known, only heard about. It captured the racial tensions and militant nature of the black Muslim movement in a very real way that someone merely telling you could never hope to accomplish. This is a must read for people of all different races and religions as it will broaden your view of the world, and let you see through the eyes of a very controversial man. His story is that of redemption, reaching out and touching me. There are parts that jolted me as a reader, and that I had very strong disagreements to, but the read was so real and worth it. All in all a milestone read I would recommend to any one looking to have their life changed.

Recognizing that the NOI under the leadership of Elijah Mohammed

Recognizing that the NOI under the leadership of Elijah Mohammed was both inspired and bankrupt, Malcolm X remains one of the most inspiring figures in American history. In particular, his evolution still remains a conversation for African Americans of all generations.

Is this how it should feel? The Autobiography of Malcolm X was c

Is this how it should feel?
The Autobiography of Malcolm X was completely inspiring. As the story start off there is a definite understanding of the terror Malcolm was introduced to since he was in his mother’s womb. From visits from the Klu Klux Klan, his father dying, his mother being put into a mental hospital and turning into a hustler, his life starts to spin out of control. Racism is a huge factor in this book, it pretty much weaves itself all throughout the autobiography. The message to this theme would be pin pointed to the malicious decisions that were made during Malcolm’s life time. Another theme would be the effects of the choices you made, this serves a roll from being an innocent child to growing up and becoming a hustler/ burglar. Societal views are also a major theme, with how Malcolm starts to perceive his live and how “blacks” should act and therefore become. I liked this book because it enlightened me about what actually happened to some if not most black families. I also liked it because it was real- it really happened, it was all facts and you didn’t have to question if it really happened or not. I also liked this book because Malcolm was not perfect and he so vividly describe what happened, you almost felt as if you were a part of his story. I had no real dislikes to this book, except that it used lots of slang words I had no idea what they meant. It would have been nice if there was a dictionary in the back of the book. I think this book is meant for certain people – if you’re not interested in discrimination, hurt, and hustling you probable shouldn’t read this book. Although it is long it is a powerful read. It gives you the opportunity to see in to his memory and “be him” for a little bit. I would rate this about a 4 its not something I would have picked up to read if I wasn’t required but I’m glad I did. The first chapter was so real and capturing you just had to go on. It had me realize just how brutal it must have been to be black in that era of time.

Highly Recommended.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X (466 pgs.) is amazing. This book gave us, the reader, a look through his eyes and what he went through when he was a child and as he grew up. I couldn't put this book down. I admire how strong he stayed throughout what he went through.

Best book ever!!

This book really changed my life, it helped to to redefine my path and redirect my future.

Insightful and Riveting

The idea of reading an autobiography of Malcolm X would probably never have crossed my mind, but with nothing to read on my vacation at a campground and most of the books on the rec-hall shelf being silly romance novels, this was the only thing that looked interesting. What a stroke of luck that turned out to be! Malcolm X was assasinated when I was too young to remember and what I knew about his life was very general. This book gives the reader an in depth picture of his life and particularly what shaped his views from a very young child. Though I don't agree with everything he believed in, I could understand why he felt the way he did about many things and came to have a better understanding about what it must have been like to live during his time. The only thing I never understood was his very misogynistic viewpoints. I would think he would have more empathy for women, especially black women, after what he had been through. However,he changed his mind about many things during his life, and I can't help but wonder if he had lived, if his views toward women would have mellowed some as well. This book is well worth the read.

Insightful Account of the Life of Malcolm X

The movie by Spike Lee was good, but the book is even better. This is a great insight into Malcolm X's thought and life. It gave me a shot in the arm in terms of my self-esteem as an Afro-American man.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Possibly the book I've ever read. Its so inspiring and empowering. It makes me mad that I was born after him time. Absolutely one of those books you must read before you die. And don't get lazy! Read the epilogue too.

Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes!

that about sums it up for me. the media has done a job on the man we know as Malcom X. and most of the stuff put out there has not been good. this book was not sugar coated. he keeps it real and regaurdless of anyone's opinion of him, after reading this book that opinion will be changed or at least altered. i highly recommend this book. i've read it a minimum of 6 times!

REALLY GOOD BOOK TO READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS WAS A VERY GOOD BOOK AND VERY INTERESTING!! GOOD BOOK TO GET FOR YOUR COLLECTION!

Must read

An intimate look at the life of the most fierce advocate of rights for blacks. Malcolm X exemplifies fortitude to the highest degree. His willingness to risk his safety for the sake of his ideals and integrity bespeak complete selflessness. Eloquently written, "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" is provocative, enlightening, and inspiring.

A Modern Classic- Great literature and an inspirational story

I read Malcolm X a while ago, but I wanted to use some passages from the text while teaching Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison. It was great to use to explore the multiple identities Malcolm experiences throughout his journey. It was interesting too to compare Ellison's narrator's journey of learning to Malcolm's experiences with racist America, militant American Islam and eventually a new and more holistic view of race and culture. I highly recommend the book if you want to read an inspirational story, if you want to read a great book about race and identity, or if you want to understand more about one of the most controversial, complex and important figures in 20th century American history.

one of the greatest autobiographies ever written

great piece of writing by alex haley, as told to him by malcolm x.i couldn't put down this book.

A HERO THAT GETS KNOW PRAISE LIKE HE SHOULD

I enjoyed reading such a great book about a man that did so much that gets such little praise about it. This book hepls your understand what malcolm x really had to go through in his life. Such a great man!!!1

A reviewer

I chose to read this book because I have always been ibterested in Malcolm X, his ideals and thoughts about racism. I saw the Malcolm X movie and my interest increased. I enjoyed reading this book. It satisfied my expectations. It helped me to understand how society viewed Blacks in the 50's and 60's. Now I can understand how society views racism in the present time due to reading this book.

On Line Book Review on The Autobiograhpy of Malcolm X

I have three reasons for selecting The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told by Alex Haley to read. First, Malcolm had interesting ideals and thoughts about racism. Secondly, one time I had the opportunity to see the movie Malcolm X. Denzel Washington protrayed Malcolm X and gave a great performance. This movie helped to motivate me to read the book. Finally, one day I saw a picture of Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. with Malcolm X and my interest was increased to learn more about the life of Malcolm X. My expectation based upon selecting The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Harley were more than fulfilled because the book was outstanding. I enjoyed reading every word. This book has had an outstanding impact on my life. My way of thinking regarding racism will never be the same.It has helped me to understand how society viewed people of color in the past. Also,I now realize that the present views of these same people have changed in many ways due to the passage of time and the change of people's attitudes.